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Kobe Bryant: Everything we know about the helicopter crash photo trial

In January 2020, whenKobe Bryant's helicopter crashed into a hillside outside Los Angeles, basketball's A great man, his daughter, seven died. Others have shattered families and shocked his fans around the world.

Currently, his wife Vanessa Bryant is suing Los Angeles County, claiming that she lawyer said in court that he "exploited the accident" and "poured salt on wounds that could not be sealed." He was killed in a helicopter crash on January 26 while en route to a basketball tournament from Orange County.

Bryant's attorney told jurors in the case that days after the accident, police and firefighters hired by the county showed off photographs of the crash site, including the bodies of the victims.

"January 26, 2020 was the worst day of Vanessa Bryant's life," her attorney Louis Lee told jurors.

``County officials exploited the accident. 20} At the Calabasas site, Lee said first responders, including the fire department, "walked around the wreckage and took pictures of the bodies mangled from the helicopter crash. They took close-ups of limbs and charred flesh. It shocks my conscience."

Firefighters working at helicopter crash site

(AP)

And he added: "This case is about accountability. It proves that a county official took the picture and shared it widely."

He told the court that the photos were shared with so many people that it was impossible for authorities to guarantee they would not be leaked in the future. Christopher Chester, who has not seen the photos, is suing the county for emotional distress and threats that the photos will one day be released.

Federal Court in Los Angeles last week Vanessa Bryant leaves

(AP)

Orange County Financial Advisor Chester's wife Sarah and 13-year-old daughter Peyton are killed in an accident.

"Each day since doing what the county did, Mrs. Bryant and Mr. Chester experience the risk, the fear, the anxiety, the fear that they might have to relive their loss. I am a part of the family in the most excruciating way,” Lee added.

 John Altobelli also died in the crash. his wife, Keri Altobelli. 14 year old daughter Alyssa Altobelli. Coach Christina Moser. and pilot Ara Zobayan.

Mauser and his Altobellis family filed lawsuits over the photos and settled with the County of Los Angeles last November for $1.25 million each.

Los Angeles Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka

Bryant's former agent Rob Pelinka was the first witness in the case. NBA officials drove Bryant to the Sheriff's Substation at Malibu Lost Hills Station to meet with Sheriff Alex Villanueva after the crash.

Pelinka tearfully spoke of his professional and personal relationship with Bryant.

"He's still my best friend. Being friends with Kobe was like having a real superhero as a best friend, so I'm very grateful," he said in court.

He then explained that he had taken Vanessa to meet with the officials, saying that "her first instinct" was to seal the scene."These are my angels." Please," Pelinka explained her words.

"Through the sheriff, I had assurances that the crash site would be kept safe and that my family's "privacy would be maintained." .

Former Los Angeles County Fire Chief Walks Out of Witness Stand

Brian Jordan left the witness stand three times, claiming he was "extremely traumatized" in a crash in court.

Jordan, who spent 35 years at LAFD, told jurors that images of what he saw at the crash site "will haunt me forever."

Mr. Jordan took a series of photographs at the scene, including images of his torso, arms, and dark-skinned hands. “Take a picture, take a picture, take a picture,” he said.

Sheriff's Deputy Shows Photos to Bartender

Deputy Sheriff Joey Cruz In Court Shows Photos Containing Human Skeletons in Norwalk, Calif. He said he showed it to the bartender. Only two days after the accident.

Deputy Commissioner Cruz admitted that he had no good reason to have the photos, but admitted that he showed them to his adult niece and sent them to another legislator.

} He was initially suspended for ten days, but appealed and was given two days of unpaid suspension and three days of paid training.

"It went too far," he told jurors about showing the photo to a bartender, a close friend of his.

Firefighter shared photo while drinking cocktail at media awards ceremony

Los Angeles County firefighter one month after accident Later at the award ceremony, he showed off the photo during his cocktail hour. A witness told the trial.

Luella Weireter, wife of an LA firefighter, said the incident occurred at the Southern California Radio and Television News Association's Golden Microphone Awards in February 2020.

She told jurors they saw LA County firefighter Tony Imbrenda share photos and other images of Bryant's remains with people at the event. I just saw a body and I can't believe I'm eating it now," she testified after hearing one firefighter say.

Ms. Weireter is the cousin of her Keri Altobelli, who died in a helicopter crash along with her husband her John and her daughter Alyssa.

She said that two weeks after her incident, she filed her formal complaint with the Battalion Commander of the County Fire Department in Malibu.