Kobe Bryant crash photos award plaintiffs $31M in a lawsuit against Vanessa Bryant

Following the verdict, Bryant hugged his attorneys. Chris Chester won $15 million. Bryant embraced her daughter Natalia in front of the courtroom after she began to cry as the verdict was read. She left the courthouse without expressing her feelings.

Even though we disagree with the jury's finding of liability on the county's part, the jury's monetary award indicates that the jurors did not believe the evidence supported the plaintiffs' claim of $75 million in distress.

On the outside, LA County attorney Mira Hashmall directs the courtroom. The next steps will be discussed with the client. Meanwhile, we wish the Bryant and Chester families continued healing from their tragic loss.

Los Angeles County was sued

According to the federal jury, there were no proper policies and training at the sheriff's and fire departments, resulting in rights violations. The County Fire Department was not held liable for a widespread practice of taking illicit photos, which was the plaintiff's only claim not supported by jurors.

A similar problem was found to have been committed by the sheriff's department. A lawsuit was filed against the LA County Sheriff's Department over photos taken by deputies and firefighters showing the helicopter wreckage and the mutilated bodies of the deceased, including Kobe Bryant, Gianna, Chester's wife Sarah, and Payton, and five others.

Also Read: Vanessa Bryant reacts to the $31 million jury award for the Kobe Bryant crash photos

The trial featured several witnesses

According to the National Transportation Safety Board, a helicopter pilot who crashed in Calabasas, California, in bad weather pushed the limits of flight rules. According to Bryant and Chester, photos of loved ones had caused emotional distress and violated their privacy. Even though LA County claimed each photo was destroyed, both testified to living in fear they would be discovered.

A graphic witness testified 11 days before the jury. There were witnesses in the trial, including an MP who told other staff about showing graphic images at a bar, another MP who said he sent pictures while playing a video game, and a fire official who showed other staff footage at the awards ceremony at a cocktail party.

Photos are not permitted to be shared

First responders are prohibited from sharing photos of deceased people at a crime scene for non-official purposes under the Kobe Bryant Act, which California Governor Gavin Newsom signed in September 2020. A misdemeanor carries up to $1,000 in fines for violating. During Kobe Bryant's NBA career, he wears two jersey numbers, 8 and 24.

The Lakers retired both numbers on Wednesday, August 24, in honor of his two jersey numbers. As a Los Angeles County lawyer pointed out Wednesday, the lawsuit was a 'picture case without pictures' since the court had never seen the gruesome photos of human remains.

According to Bryant's lawyer, Luis Li, the county's actions in taking such photos were reckless and inhumane and caused emotional distress to his clients, the public, and even the complainants.