Vanessa Bryant has won her lawsuit against Los Angeles County after a jury of ten determined that she has suffered and will continue to experience severe emotional distress as a result of death scene photos captured on the cell phones of eight L.A. County Sheriff’s deputies – photos she worries will be made public someday. Her case was based on this dread.
Vanessa was granted $16 million by the jury. Chris Chester, who lost his kid and wife in the helicopter disaster, received a $15 million settlement.
Grateful to a jury and judge who gave them a fair trial, Chester’s attorney, Jerry Jackson, stated.
When the decision was given, Vanessa burst into tears. Vanessa polled the jury, and each one nodded in agreement.
Both the L.A. County Sheriff’s Department and the L.A. County Fire Department were found guilty.
Not only did the deputies take the images, but they also distributed them with friends, relatives, and even strangers at a pub. The images were even shown at a fire department celebration.
Lawyers representing the County contended that because the images had never appeared and had been erased from the mobile phones in issue, there was no reason to be concerned that they may leak.
During closing arguments, Chester’s attorney requested up to $32.5 million. Bryant’s counsel did not request a specific sum, instead requesting that the jury give what is just.
Vanessa sobbed and fled the courtroom several times during the two-week trial, which was filled with vivid details.
The collision on January 26, 2020 killed Kobe and Gigi Bryant, as well as Sarah and Payton Chester and 5 others.
Kobe’s 44th birthday would have been on Wednesday.
