Kobe Bryant's widow was awarded USD 16 million as part of a USD 31 million jury verdict Wednesday against Low Angeles County for deputies and firefighters sharing grisly photos of the NBA star, his 13-year-old daughter and other victims killed in a 2020 helicopter crash. The nine jurors unanimously agreed with Vanessa Bryant and her attorneys that the photos invaded her privacy and caused emotional distress. She cried quietly as it was read.

The jury deliberated 4 1/2 hours before reaching the verdict on Kobe Bryant Day, which is celebrated in LA on August 24 because it represents his jersey numbers&nbsp;8 and 24 and is the day after his birthday. Tuesday would have been Bryant's 44th birthday. An attorney for the county declined comment on the verdict outside the courtroom.

The pictures were shared mostly between employees of the LA County sheriff's and fire departments including by some who were playing video games and attending an awards banquet. They were also seen by some of their spouses and in one case by a bartender at a bar where a deputy was drinking. 
Vanessa Bryant tearfully testified during the 11-day trial that news of the photos compounded her still-raw grief a month after losing her husband and daughter, and that she still has panic attacks at the thought that they might still be out there. "I live in fear every day of being on social media and these popping up," she testified. "I live in fear of my daughters being on social media and these popping up."

Her co-plaintiff Chris Chester, whose wife and daughter were also among the nine people killed in the crash, was awarded USD 15 million. "We're grateful for a jury and a judge who gave us a fair trial," said Chester's lawyer Jerry Jackson.

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/kevin-durant-drops-trade-demand-set-to-stay-with-brooklyn-nets-after-meeting-with-owners-and-steve-nash-509655">Kevin Durant drops trade demand, set to stay with Brooklyn Nets after meeting with owners and Steve Nash</a>

Vanessa Bryant's attorneys did not give jurors a dollar amount they thought their client deserved, but Chester's attorney gave them suggested guidelines that would have meant tens of millions for each plaintiff. 
Vanessa Bryant and her attorney declined comment outside court Wednesday. Her face was still streaked with tears as she walked past TV cameras and dozens of reporters and climbed into an SUV. 
Vanessa Bryant's lawyer Luis Li told jurors that the close-up photos had no official or investigative purpose, and were mere "visual gossip" shared out of a gruesome curiosity.

County attorney J. Mira Hashmall argued during the trial that the photos were a necessary tool for assessing the situation. She acknowledged that they should not have been shared with everyone who saw them. But she emphasized that the photos had never appeared publicly, and had never even been seen by the plaintiffs. She said that meant that Sheriff Alex Villanueva and other officials had taken decisive and effective action when they ordered those who had the photos to delete them.

Kobe Bryant, the former Lakers star, five-time NBA champion and member of the Basketball Hall of Fame, was traveling with Gianna and seven others to a youth basketball game when the helicopter they were aboard crashed into hills in Calabasas west of Los Angeles on Jan.

Kobe Bryant's widow was awarded USD 16 million as part of a USD 31 million jury verdict Wednesday against Low Angeles County for deputies and firefighters sharing grisly photos of the NBA star, his 13-year-old daughter and other victims killed in a 2020 helicopter crash.

Kobe Bryant's widow was awarded USD 16 million as part of a USD 31 million jury verdict Wednesday against Low Angeles County for deputies and firefighters sharing grisly photos of the NBA star, his 13-year-old daughter and other victims killed in a 2020 helicopter crash. The nine jurors unanimously agreed with Vanessa Bryant and her attorneys that the photos invaded her privacy and caused emotional distress. She cried quietly as it was read. The jury deliberated 4 1/2 hours before reaching the verdict on Kobe Bryant Day, which is celebrated in LA on August 24 because it represents his jersey numbers 8 and 24 and is the day after his birthday. Tuesday would have been Bryant's 44th birthday. An attorney for the county declined comment on the verdict outside the courtroom. The pictures were shared mostly between employees of the LA County sheriff's and fire departments including by some who were playing video games and attending an awards banquet. They were also seen by some of their spouses and in one case by a bartender at a bar where a deputy was drinking. Vanessa Bryant tearfully testified during the 11-day trial that news of the photos compounded her still-raw grief a month after losing her husband and daughter, and that she still has panic attacks at the thought that they might still be out there. "I live in fear every day of being on social media and these popping up," she testified. "I live in fear of my daughters being on social media and these popping up." Her co-plaintiff Chris Chester, whose wife and daughter were also among the nine people killed in the crash, was awarded USD 15 million. "We're grateful for a jury and a judge who gave us a fair trial," said Chester's lawyer Jerry Jackson. ALSO READ | Kevin Durant drops trade demand, set to stay with Brooklyn Nets after meeting with owners and Steve Nash Vanessa Bryant's attorneys did not give jurors a dollar amount they thought their client deserved, but Chester's attorney gave them suggested guidelines that would have meant tens of millions for each plaintiff. Vanessa Bryant and her attorney declined comment outside court Wednesday. Her face was still streaked with tears as she walked past TV cameras and dozens of reporters and climbed into an SUV. Vanessa Bryant's lawyer Luis Li told jurors that the close-up photos had no official or investigative purpose, and were mere "visual gossip" shared out of a gruesome curiosity. County attorney J. Mira Hashmall argued during the trial that the photos were a necessary tool for assessing the situation. She acknowledged that they should not have been shared with everyone who saw them. But she emphasized that the photos had never appeared publicly, and had never even been seen by the plaintiffs. She said that meant that Sheriff Alex Villanueva and other officials had taken decisive and effective action when they ordered those who had the photos to delete them. Kobe Bryant, the former Lakers star, five-time NBA champion and member of the Basketball Hall of Fame, was traveling with Gianna and seven others to a youth basketball game when the helicopter they were aboard crashed into hills in Calabasas west of Los Angeles on Jan.

Late LA Lakers basketballer Kobe Bryant's widow awarded USD 16M in trial over crash photos

A trial was recently launched for a federal civil lawsuit, which was filed by Kobe Bryant's widow, Vanessa Bryant. In her suit, she claimed that pictures of Bryant, which were clicked posthumously, were shared at locations irrelevant to the investigation, including a bar&nbsp;and award show.

Luella Weireter, who is married to an LA firefighter and is a former&nbsp;emergency medical technician, testified in court against&nbsp;LA County firefighter Tony Imbrenda, claiming that he shared pictures of Bryant from the crash with attendees&nbsp;at the Radio and Television News Association of Southern California's Golden Mike awards back&nbsp;in February 2020.

ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/trial-into-the-graphic-pictures-from-kobe-bryants-fatal-helicopter-crash-set-to-begin-505755">Trial into sharing of pictures from Kobe Bryant's fatal helicopter crash set to begin</a>

While describing the entire situation,&nbsp;Weireter revealed that a small group had convened at her table shortly thereafter to catch a glimpse of the photos on a small cell phone. She characterized&nbsp;Imbrenda's actions as a party trick. She further claimed that she heard a firefighter make the following comment after pulling away from the group:

"I can't believe I just looked at Kobe's burnt up body and now I'm about to eat." At this point, Vanessa Bryant, who was in attendance in the courtroom, was&nbsp;visibly shaken up, rocking back and forth&nbsp;with her head in her hands, sobbing.&nbsp;

ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/kobe-bryant-chopper-crash-victim-families-win-25m-compensation-over-graphic-photos-426434">Kobe Bryant chopper crash victim families win $2.5m compensation over graphic photos</a>

Weireter further testified that she filed an official complaint with a battalion chief at a fire station in Malibu roughly about two weeks after the ceremony. She also revealed that she was contacted by LA County Fire Chief Anthony Marrone to discuss the matter in detail.

The witness is the cousin of&nbsp;Keri Altobelli, who had also perished in the helicopter crash along with her husband John and daughter&nbsp;Alyssa.

A trial was recently launched for a federal civil lawsuit, which was filed by Kobe Bryant's widow, Vanessa Bryant. In her suit, she claimed that pictures of Bryant, which were clicked posthumously, were shared at locations irrelevant to the investigation, including a bar and award show.

A trial was recently launched for a federal civil lawsuit, which was filed by Kobe Bryant's widow, Vanessa Bryant. In her suit, she claimed that pictures of Bryant, which were clicked posthumously, were shared at locations irrelevant to the investigation, including a bar and award show. Luella Weireter, who is married to an LA firefighter and is a former emergency medical technician, testified in court against LA County firefighter Tony Imbrenda, claiming that he shared pictures of Bryant from the crash with attendees at the Radio and Television News Association of Southern California's Golden Mike awards back in February 2020. ALSO READ: Trial into sharing of pictures from Kobe Bryant's fatal helicopter crash set to begin While describing the entire situation, Weireter revealed that a small group had convened at her table shortly thereafter to catch a glimpse of the photos on a small cell phone. She characterized Imbrenda's actions as a party trick. She further claimed that she heard a firefighter make the following comment after pulling away from the group: "I can't believe I just looked at Kobe's burnt up body and now I'm about to eat." At this point, Vanessa Bryant, who was in attendance in the courtroom, was visibly shaken up, rocking back and forth with her head in her hands, sobbing. ALSO READ: Kobe Bryant chopper crash victim families win $2.5m compensation over graphic photos Weireter further testified that she filed an official complaint with a battalion chief at a fire station in Malibu roughly about two weeks after the ceremony. She also revealed that she was contacted by LA County Fire Chief Anthony Marrone to discuss the matter in detail. The witness is the cousin of Keri Altobelli, who had also perished in the helicopter crash along with her husband John and daughter Alyssa.

Witness testifies against LA County fireman for sharing images of Kobe Bryant's remains at an awards show

A legal case involving sharing of graphic photos taken by first responders at the scene of American basketball legend Kobe Bryant's fatal helicopter accident is set to begin. Vanessa Bryant,&nbsp;Kobe's widow, claims she experienced anguish because members of the Los Angeles Sheriff's Department and neighbourhood firefighters took pictures of the incident and shared them with their friends and other first responders. When their helicopter crashed into a mountainside near Los Angeles in January 2020, nine people perished, including the basketball star and his teenage daughter.&nbsp;Within 24 hours of the collision, "at least 11 (sheriff's) personnel and a dozen firefighters shared the photos," Bryant's attorneys claimed in court documents.

In the weeks that followed, "one (sheriff's) deputy flaunted photos of remains at a bar, another texted photos to a group of video game buddies, and (county fire) personnel displayed photos at an awards gala."

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/heartwarming-statue-of-nba-legend-kobe-bryant-and-daughter-gigi-placed-at-crash-site-on-anniversary-448453">Heartwarming! Statue of NBA legend Kobe Bryant and daughter Gigi placed at crash site on anniversary</a>

The case of Vanessa Bryant and a similar case by Chris Chester, whose wife and daughter, age 13, also perished in the collision, have been combined.

Last year, $2.5 million in compensation for the photo-taking was given to the families of several other victims. Lawyers for Los Angeles County say the images were taken, but they were never made public and have since been erased.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/kobe-bryant-chopper-crash-victim-families-win-25m-compensation-over-graphic-photos-426434">Kobe Bryant chopper crash victim families win $2.5m compensation over graphic photos</a>

According to Mira Hashmall, who is defending the county in the civil lawsuit, the issue of public dissemination was crucial to the outcome of the case.

The county, she stated, "has worked tirelessly to prevent its crash site photos from getting into the public domain."

"Over two and a half years later, no county photos have appeared in the media, none can be found online, and the plaintiffs admit they've never seen them."

(With inputs from agencies)

Watch WION LIVE HERE:

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1" width="100%"></iframe>

You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us <a href="https://www.wionews.com/content-contribution-registration-form">here</a>.

A legal case involving sharing of graphic photos taken by first responders at the scene of American basketball legend Kobe Bryant's fatal helicopter accident is set to begin.

A legal case involving sharing of graphic photos taken by first responders at the scene of American basketball legend Kobe Bryant's fatal helicopter accident is set to begin. Vanessa Bryant, Kobe's widow, claims she experienced anguish because members of the Los Angeles Sheriff's Department and neighbourhood firefighters took pictures of the incident and shared them with their friends and other first responders. When their helicopter crashed into a mountainside near Los Angeles in January 2020, nine people perished, including the basketball star and his teenage daughter. Within 24 hours of the collision, "at least 11 (sheriff's) personnel and a dozen firefighters shared the photos," Bryant's attorneys claimed in court documents. In the weeks that followed, "one (sheriff's) deputy flaunted photos of remains at a bar, another texted photos to a group of video game buddies, and (county fire) personnel displayed photos at an awards gala." Also read | Heartwarming! Statue of NBA legend Kobe Bryant and daughter Gigi placed at crash site on anniversary The case of Vanessa Bryant and a similar case by Chris Chester, whose wife and daughter, age 13, also perished in the collision, have been combined. Last year, $2.5 million in compensation for the photo-taking was given to the families of several other victims. Lawyers for Los Angeles County say the images were taken, but they were never made public and have since been erased. Also read | Kobe Bryant chopper crash victim families win $2.5m compensation over graphic photos According to Mira Hashmall, who is defending the county in the civil lawsuit, the issue of public dissemination was crucial to the outcome of the case. The county, she stated, "has worked tirelessly to prevent its crash site photos from getting into the public domain." "Over two and a half years later, no county photos have appeared in the media, none can be found online, and the plaintiffs admit they've never seen them." (With inputs from agencies) Watch WION LIVE HERE: You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Trial into sharing of pictures from Kobe Bryant's fatal helicopter crash set to begin