Vanessa Bryantbecame emotional as the trial overKobe BryantandGianna Bryant’shelicopter crash site photos came to an end.
Vanessa, 40, was seen sobbing in court after the jury read its verdict Wednesday,awarding her $16 million.Her co-plaintiff Chris Chester was awarded $15 million.
While holding her head down, Vanessa had both of her hands together as if she was in prayer during the moment. She hugged her attorney Luis Li for a few minutes before hugging Chris.
Li told reporters no comment after the verdict.
Reacting to the outcome on Instagram, Vanessa shared a sweet selfie of her and Kobe smiling with Gianna,writingin the caption, “All for you! I love you! JUSTICE for Kobe and Gigi!#Betonyourself#MambaDay82422 💜💛💜💛#MambaMentality”
Mona Shafer Edwards/BACKGRID
The final verdict was reached late Wednesday afternoon with the jury finding Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department (LASD) and Fire Department (LAFD) did share photos of the bodies of Vanessa and Chris' loved ones and in doing so invaded their privacy and caused emotional distress.
The jury ordered the LASD to pay Vanessa $10 million and to pay Chris a total of $9 million. While the LAFD is ordered to pay the pair $6 million each.
Patrick T. FALLON/AFP/Getty
The decision came down coincidentally onKobe BryantDay aka Mamba Day which is a day honoring the late Los Angeles Lakers legend whose jersey numbers #8 and #24 day.
Since it began on August 10, the trial revealed harrowing details about the aftermath of theJanuary 2020 helicopter crashthat killed NBA legend and 13-year-oldGianna, and the seven other people on board.
RELATED VIDEO: Vanessa Bryant Awarded $16M After Jury Reaches Verdict in Trial Over Helicopter Crash Site Photos
Vanessa and Chris, who tragically lost his wifeSarahand their 13-year-old daughterPaytonin the crash, suedLos Angeles County for emotional distress and mental anguishafter learning members of the department had shared photos of the victims' remains.
At the time of the crash, Kobe and Gianna were traveling to a youth basketball game with seven others.
Vanessa Bryant, her daughter Natalia Bryant and close friend Sydney Leroux leave court room.Patrick T. FALLON/AFP/Getty
While on the stand, the widow recalled visiting the Lost Hills Sheriff Station the morning of the accident and asking Sheriff Alex Villanueva to protect the Calabasas crash site from the paparazzi. “If you can’t bring my babies back, can you please secure the area?” Vanessa recalled telling Villanueva at the station.
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Just three days later, the photo-sharing allegations amongst the first responders came to light in an article in theLos Angeles Timespublished on Feb. 27, 2020. “I trusted them not to do these things,” the bereaved mother said during her testimony, adding that she was angry with the sheriff and fire departments for not telling her about the pictures being shared.
source: people.com
