Bryant’s judge ticketed for going 80 mph in the canyon
Post Independent Staff
GLENWOOD SPRINGS – The Eagle County judge overseeing the Kobe Bryant rape case recently had some legal troubles of his own.
Eagle County Judge Frederick Gannett accepted a plea bargain on Sept. 18 to a charge of speeding on Interstate 70 in Glenwood Canyon.
According to the original citation, the 50-year-old Basalt resident, who has gained national prominence over the past three months from his role as judge in the star basketball player’s sex assault case, was caught driving 80 mph in a 50 mph zone in Glenwood Canyon on April 25.
Gannett could not be reached for comment on Friday.
The Colorado State Patrol issued the ticket.
After 9th District Attorney Mac Myers saw that the offender was an Eagle County judge, he requested a special prosecutor to avoid any conflict of interest because he sometimes works with Gannett. The case was handed over to 21st District Attorney Frank Daniels’ office in Grand Junction.
According to court documents, the judge, who was driving a green 1997 Saab, pleaded guilty to driving 10-19 mph over the posted speed limit in the curvy canyon.
Gannett was pulled over at 3:40 p.m. as he was headed westbound along Interstate 70 that spring day.
According to the plea form, Gannett was ordered to pay a $50 fine and $30 in court costs.
Gannett will preside over the Bryant case Oct. 9 preliminary hearing. If Gannett finds probable cause to take the case to trial, it will be transferred to 5th District Court.
Contact Greg Masse: 945-8515, ext. 511
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