Los Angeles County has been ordered to pay Ksh3.7 billion ($31 million) in damages to Kobe Bryant’s widow and a co-plaintiff over graphic photos taken at the site of the helicopter crash that killed the basketball star and eight others.
This was after a jury on Wednesday, August 24, found the Sheriff’s deputies and firefighters who were the first responders at the crash for showing the photos to the public at fault.
The accused who were the first to arrive at the scene of the January 2020 crash took photos of the carnage, including the mangled remains of the Los Angeles Lakers legend and his 13-year-old daughter, Gianna.
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Vanessa Bryant and Chris Chester had sued LA County for emotional damages over the photos, claiming that their fear was that the photos would in the future surface on the internet.
The civil jury ordered the county to pay ksh1.9 billion ($16 million) to Bryant, and ksh1.8 billion ($15 million to Chester.
After the Verdict, Vanesa Bryant later took to her social media account posting a photo with her late husband and daughter expressing her fulfillment with the judgment.
“All for you! I love you! justice for Kobe and Gigi!” her Instagram caption read.
The jury gave the verdict on Kobe Bryant Day, which is commemorated in the city of Los Angeles on August 24, because it represents his jersey numbers 8 and 24.
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