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Spectator's Tort Suit Against Kobe Bryant Still Alive

The Cincinnati-based Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals recently reversed a district court decision granting summary judgment to Kobe Bryant in a case brought on behalf of a spectator at a 2005 Lakers-Grizzlies game. Bryant allegedly pushed his forearm into the spectator's chest and glared at him as Bryant returned to the court after falling out of bounds. The court affirmed the district court's decision granting summary judgment to Bryant as to an intentional infliction of emotional distress claim, but reversed the lower court's granting of summary judgment as to assault and battery claims. The court remanded the case to the district court for further proceedings.