Kobe Bryant won’t face charges in church incident

SAN DIEGO — Los Angeles Lakers star Kobe Bryant will not face criminal charges over a confrontation in August in which he was accused of snatching a phone from someone at a San Diego church.

Kobe Bryant. AP FILE PHOTO

Authorities said that extensive investigation and interviews of independent witnesses produced insufficient proof that unlawful conduct had occurred.

“As prosecutors we cannot ethically file a criminal case when we lack sufficient evidence to prove the case beyond a reasonable doubt,” said San Diego City Attorney’s Office spokeswoman Gina Coburn.

In the incident at the St. Therese of Carmel Church, Bryant was alleged to have grabbed a phone out of another man’s hand because he thought the man was taking pictures of him and his wife.

The man, who has not been identified by authorities, told police his wrist was injured in the incident.