SYMPTOMS OF SIMPSONITIS? MEDIA CIRCUS COVERING KOBE BRYANT'S CASE IS REMINISCENT OF O.J.'S `TRIAL OF THE CENTURY'.

Byline: Earl Ofari Hutchinson

THE instant that Eagle County Judge Frederick Gannett ordered Los Angeles Lakers superstar Kobe Bryant to stand trial on rape charges, the name that quickly fell out of the mouths of reporters was O.J. Simpson. There was even a detectable hint of delirium in some media circles that the Bryant trial could be the biggest celebrity case since 1995.

That's hardly anything to cheer about.

The Simpson case sold a lot of newspapers, filled up mountains of time on TV gab shows and turned a horde of trial and media analysts into momentary superstars. But it made a wreck of race relations and reinforced deep public suspicion that the rich and famous routinely mangle the criminal justice system, then waltz away scot-free. It also turned much of the media into tabloid puffery.

The Bryant case has already exhibited fatal symptoms of Simpsonitis. In two USA Today/Gallup polls from July and August, far more blacks than whites said they were sympathetic to Bryant and believed the charges against him were false.

This is the same gaping black-white divide that reared its infuriating head during the Simpson trial. Then, many blacks swiftly circled the wagon, loudly shouting ``racist double-standard.'' The thinking was that even though athletes are rich, famous, and shamelessly pampered, when they're black, they're still treated more harshly for their misdeeds than are white athletes and celebrities.

The carefully orchestrated TV shots of jubilant blacks high-fiving the Simpson verdict enraged many whites. The avalanche of books on the trial pounded hard on the injustice of the verdict, and in highly publicized interviews, their authors rammed home the notion that a black murderer thumbed his nose at the law and got away with it.

The public rage wasn't unfounded. It wasn't Simpson's race that put him in a jail cell, but his wealth that kept him out of it. Simpson's pockets were expansive enough to hire a ``dream team'' defense, an army of expert witnesses and investigators. Since most Americans can't afford that, he confirmed their belief that the rich, famous and powerful will always weasel out of punishment.

Colorado courts aren't immune to star fever. In recent years, John Mobley and Rod Smith of the Denver Broncos, as well as the Colorado Rockies' Pedro Astacio, collectively faced charges of domestic violence, DUI and assault. None served any jail time or missed a game.

With Bryant, the same star treatment instantly kicked in. He posted a paltry bail of $25,000 and has not spent a moment in jail.

The type of defense that Bryant can easily afford is far outside the reach of poor defendants, who are usually represented by grossly overworked, underpaid public defenders or court-appointed attorneys. He has retained a top-dollar defense team that he hopes can demolish the prosecution's case. (He got a good start when his lead attorney, Pamela Mackey, brazenly pierced Colorado's tough rape-shield statute and assailed his accuser's prior sexual conduct.)

Bryant will also shell out a king's ransom to match the D.A.'s army of experts with his own. He'll hire jury consultants to try and figure how to weed out potential jurors who might be biased against him, in the hope the expense will buy him just enough ``reasonable doubt'' to win an acquittal.

If convicted, which is far less likely than if he were just a regular Joe charged with the same offense, he will appeal. Although he'll be dogged by the taint of the scandal no matter what happens in the trial, and though he stands to lose most, if not all, of his product endorsement deals, he won't lose his career.

Then there are the media.

The National Enquirer, the Star, the Examiner, a legion of other tabloids and the gaggle of daytime talk shows have successfully parlayed gossip, innuendo, rumor, half-truths and outright lies into hugely profitable empires and ratings bonanzas. They have millions of devoted readers and watchers who rely on them as much for hard news as daily papers.

The Simpson trial turned the slow drift of much of the mainstream media to a headlong rush toward sleaze sensationalism in celebrity trials. With 24-7 Kobe-vision, the Bryant trial promises to complete the descent.

At Bryant's hearing, 75 news organizations and more than 300 media employees stumbled over each other to get a scoop. When the trial heats up, they'll be out in even bigger force. And they will again take their cue from the tabloids, elevating into hard news any kinky titillation that comes out of the trial.

If Kobe is convicted, many blacks will conclude it's because of his race. If he's acquitted, many whites will draw the same conclusion, and all races will grow ever more cynical of a legal system in which justice appears to be for sale. Viewed through the lens of a sensationalist media circus, the trial is sure to offend and disgust for however long it goes on.

The Bryant case will again plump the ugly issues of wealth, celebrity hype, fan idolatry, sexual violence - and yes, race - squarely back on the nation's table. They played horribly in the O.J. case and this time, they're sure to play even worse.

CAPTION(S):

drawing, 2 photos

Drawing:

(color) no caption (Kobe Bryant)

Jorge Irribarren/Staff Artist

Photo:

(1 -- color) Wealth, celebrity hype, fan idolatry, violence and race set the stage in the O.J. Simpson case. The Bryant case is sure to play up to those ugly issues as well.

(2 -- color) The next trial of the century could become the circus of the century. Boxer Mike Tyson, above, holds signs in support of Bryant at a recent game between the L.A. Lakers and Clippers.

Chris Carlson/Associated Press