Bryant jury selection kicks off

Bryant is one of the top-earning players in American basketball

Jury selection has begun in the case against US basketball star Kobe Bryant, who is accused of raping a teenager at a ski resort in Colorado.

The procedure marks the official start of the trial of Mr Bryant, who could face life in prison if convicted.

He says the woman agreed to have sex with him after she returned to his room at a hotel in the town of Eagle.

Mr Bryant denies sexually assaulting the then-19-year-old woman in a Rocky Mountain hotel on 30 June 2003.

Mr Bryant, 26, who plays for the Los Angeles Lakers and is one of America's best-known sportsmen, says the sex was consensual.

Lengthy questionnaire

Potential jurors arrived in groups throughout the day, causing traffic jams outside the courthouse in the small mountain town of Eagle.

More than 500 Eagle County citizens are expected to appear for the process.

About 1,000 were originally summoned, but 165 summons could not be delivered and 150 people were excused - primarily because they are no longer county residents or US citizens, a court spokeswoman said.

They will be questioned over the next few days to determine which 12 will be the chosen jurors.

Prospective jurors must complete an 82-item questionnaire aimed at weeding out unsuitable candidates.

Over the weekend, prosecutors and defence lawyers will review their answers.

Individual one-on-one questioning of potential jurors is to begin on Monday behind closed doors.

The lengthy jury selection could delay opening arguments until 7 September.