It seems the case between Vanessa Bryant and Los Angles County has taken a turn for what many may say is the worst. Vanessa Bryant is the widow of late basketball icon Kobe Bryant, who died last year in a helicopter crash. Vanessa Bryant has since sued the L.A. County police department after reports of several officers leaked images of the crash site. Kobe along with his 13-year-old daughter Gianna and several others were on their way to a basketball game when the plane went down on January 29th, 2020. Vanessa and Bryant’s family is seeking millions from L.A. County.
The county pushed back against the claims Vanessa Bryant suffered emotional stress when the news of the leak came out. On Friday, L.A. County filed a motion, citing independent exams are “necessary to evaluate the existence, extent, and nature of Plaintiffs’ alleged emotional injuries.” They argue emotional stress was caused by the crash, not the leaked photos.
Vanessa Bryant’s attorneys are fighting back aggressively against the county’s claims.
“Apparently, in the County’s estimation, top officials should be shielded from providing any testimony, but the victims should not only withstand the emotional toll of a full-day deposition, but also submit to an eight-hour involuntary psychiatric examination simply because they had the audacity to demand accountability,” her attorneys wrote in response.
Bryant has made past claims about the handling and professionalism of the case involving the crash. With such a huge profile Kobe Bryant has, news and media wouldn’t be that far behind with the helicopter crash news. Vanessa Bryant hoped the scene would be secured from paparazzi, but says that wasn’t the case.
“Faced with a scene of unimaginable loss, no fewer than eight sheriff’s deputies at the crash site pulled out their personal cell phones and snapped photos of the dead children, parents and coaches,” the suit alleges. “The deputies took these photos for their own personal gratification.”