Kobe Bryant's accuser will not be required to attend next week's preliminary hearing, the judge in the sexual assault case against the basketball player ruled Thursday afternoon.

Additionally, Eagle County, Colorado, Court Judge Fred Gannett rejected a defense request for access to the accuser's medical records, but said the issue may be taken up at a later point.

Gannett further ruled that the media will be allowed into the October 9 hearing -- although he said he may decide to close part or all of the hearing to the media following a meeting with both sides in his chambers before the hearing begins.

Defense attorneys had issued a subpoena to the Eagle, Colorado, woman to have her appear at the preliminary hearing in Eagle County Court, according to prosecution spokeswoman Krista Flannigan.

Prosecutors had requested that Gannett bar cameras from the hearing because they are concerned that releasing the information could infringe on Bryant's right to a fair trial and the accuser's right to privacy.

On rare occasions in Colorado, such hearings have been closed to the news media.

Bryant is accused of sexually assaulting a 19-year-old hotel employee when he was a guest at a mountain lodge June 30 in Edwards, Colorado, west of the Vail ski resort.

Bryant, 25, is married and has an infant daughter. He acknowledges he had sex with the woman but insists it was consensual and that he did not assault her.

If convicted, the Lakers player could face a sentence of four years to life in prison. If sentenced to a term of probation, he would receive 20 years to life. He also could face a fine of up to $750,000.

In August, the judge allowed the release of the warrant that ordered the arrest of the NBA star.

But affidavits and other documents containing details of what allegedly happened in Bryant's hotel room would be kept sealed, as would the search warrant.

The prosecution and defense had sought to keep all the material sealed, and members of the news media sought its release.

Also, defense attorneys had requested the accuser's medical records, Court TV has reported.

A former roommate of the alleged victim said she had been hospitalized twice after suicide attempts in February and May.

"The key question is what triggered the hospitalization," Craig Silverman, a former Denver chief deputy district attorney, told Court TV.

A judge previously denied a Colorado paper's request for transcripts of 911 tapes of calls placed from the woman's home, according to Court TV.