Rick Pitino, Defense Attorney Have Heated Exchange in Karen Sypher Trial

Filed under: Louisville

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — The trial of a woman accused of trying to extort Rick Pitino began its fourth day with a heated exchange Thursday between the Louisville basketball coach and the woman’s attorney.

Attorney James Earhart was questioning Pitino about allegations that he raped Karen Cunagin Sypher when the coach interrupted, saying he was ”here to give the truth.” Earhart replied, ”I bet you are.”

Earhart also questioned Pitino about calls made to the coach’s phone about a sexual encounter he and Sypher had in 2003 inside an Italian restaurant in Louisville.

Sypher has pleaded not guilty and claims she was raped during the restaurant encounter. However, no charges were ever filed, and authorities have said her claims lacked merit.

Sypher is charged with extortion and has been accused of asking for cash, cars and a house to stay quiet about the sexual liaison.

Pitino testified for about four hours Wednesday, telling jurors that Sypher initiated the sex by whispering to him and unzipping his pants when he got up to leave an empty Italian restaurant.

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