A jury has found the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s and Fire departments liable, awarding a total of $31 million in damages in the trial over the release of photos in the aftermath of the helicopter crash that killed Los Angeles Lakers player Kobe Bryant and nine others.
In January 2020, a helicopter crashed into a hillside in Calabasas, California, killing the nine occupants on board, which included NBA star Kobe Bryant. An investigation by the National Transportation Safety Board later determined the pilot of the helicopter pushed the limits of rules against flying in bad weather before the crash occurred.
Widow Vanessa Bryant gets $16 million in damages over Kobe Bryant helicopter crash site photos
A federal jury has awarded Vanessa Bryant, the wife of Los Angeles Lakers basketball star Kobe Bryant, a verdict of $16 million in damages after finding the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s and Fire departments liable for infringing on her constitutional rights by taking and sharing grisly photos of the January 2020 helicopter crash that left her husband, daughter and seven other people dead, CNN reported.
The leaked photos included not only the wreckage of the helicopter crash but also gruesome close-up images of the mangled bodies of the victims.
Christopher Chester awarded $15 million in damages
Christopher Chester, another plaintiff in the trial against the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s and Fire departments, who lost his wife, Sarah, and his 13-year-old daughter, Payton, in the crash, was awarded $15 million in damages by the jury.
Chester testified to living in fear that the pictures might surface, despite assertions by Los Angeles County that the photographs had been destroyed.
Witnesses testify that sheriff’s office shared images publicly
During the trial, Vanessa and Chris claimed that the photographs of the victim’s bodies were publicly shared on at least 28 devices owned by the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department, as well as by more than a dozen first responders.
A bartender testified that a sheriff’s deputy trainee had asked him if he wanted to see a photo of the victim’s bodies. In addition, a bar patron testified to witnessing the interaction and then filing a formal complaint with the sheriff’s department.
Plaintiffs had asked for $75 million in damages
Following the trial, Mira Hashmall, the lead outside counsel for Los Angeles County and a partner at Miller Barondess law firm, spoke about the verdict to People in a statement.
“While we disagree with the jury’s findings as to the county’s liability, we believe the monetary award shows that jurors didn’t believe the evidence supported the plaintiffs’ requests for $75 million for emotional distress,” Hashmall said. “We will be discussing next steps with our client. Meanwhile, we hope the Bryant and Chester families continue to heal from their tragic loss.”
