The jury also awarded $15million to Vanessa's co-plaintiff, Chris Chester, who lost his wife and daughter in the crash. The firefighters were sent notices of discharge on Dec. 2 as part of a disciplinary action that recently came to light after widow Vanessa Bryant filed a lawsuit claiming multiple sheriffs deputies snapped or shared similar photos of the January 2020 tragedy, the paperwork says. The Los Angeles County Fire Department planned to terminate the employment of two firefighters and suspend a third for allegedly taking graphic photos at the scene of the helicopter crash that killed Kobe Bryant and sharing them with their wives and girlfriends, according to court documents filed this week. Vanessa's original lawsuit filing also alleges the crash photos were a topic of discussion within the sheriff's department, as deputies allowed their colleagues to see the photos that had no investigative purpose. Contact Ellen Durney at ellen.durney@buzzfeed.com. WebA coroner testified in Vanessa Bryant's suit against LA County over helicopter-crash photos of Kobe. Gov. Vanessa Bryant arrives at Federal Court to testify "Yes," Gutierrez said, adding that he did not know if there were others in the photos because "there were just parts.". LA Countys lawyers have now filed a detailed denial of Bryant's claims, in which the county asks a federal judge to dismiss Bryant's case. Two Los Angeles County firefighters were sent discharge notices in December after allegedly taking graphic photos at the Kobe Bryant helicopter crash During testimony Thursday, Gutierrez was often forgetful and told the court that he did not remember most of the conversations he had that night. A spokesman for the Los Angeles County Fire Department, Capt. LOS ANGELES -- Two Los Angeles County firefighters could be fired and a third suspended after some first responders took and shared graphic photos from the site of the helicopter crash that killed Kobe Bryant, his teenage daughter and seven others, court documents say. Sign up for notifications from Insider! Do Not Sell My Personal Information, If you need further help setting your homepage, check your browsers Help menu, I cant breathe: Patient dies after 5 Calif. FF-medics violate policy, Chief shares details about Calif. firefighters' strip club scandal, Fla. FF files complaint over photo of chief with 'Hitler-style mustache' giving Nazi salute on duty, Video: 6 DCFEMS members placed on leave after physical fight on scene, Open the tools menu in your browser. Federal safety officials blamed pilot error for the wreck that killed the Los Angeles Lakers basketball star. He took his own photos the next day, the Times reported, but denied taking photos of the victims' bodies and said he did not take photos with his personal cellphone. Her suit is seeking punitive damages from county defendants who are accused of taking and sharing crash site photos. The firefighter who received the photos and shared them with others was not named in court documents, but the Los Angeles Times has reported that Capt. Joining Bryant in the lawsuit against Los Angeles County is Chris Chester, whose wife, Sarah, 45, and daughter, Payton, 13, were among the victims of the crash on the morning of Jan. 26, 2020. Seated at one of the tables that Gutierrez animatedly walked up to was Ralph Mendez Jr., a Norwalk real estate investor who had entered the bar with his adult softball team "Past My Prime" shortly before Cruz left. and suppliers. At least eight Los Angeles County employees have been accused of taking graphic pictures of the victims damaged bodies with their personal cellphones and circulating the images among colleagues and, in some instances, Handout / National Transportation Safety Board via Getty Images, Mrs. Melody is the one I want to be with in these apocalyptic times, Kickingstone told The New York Times. Kobe Bryant After they settled in, footage showed Gutierrez approaching them and he "sounded very excited," Mendez told the court. His lawsuit says he received photos from people working at the crash site "as is common practice on all major incidents.". crash photos The reports said the firefighters had snapped images of victims remains that served no business necessity and instead only served to appeal to baser instincts and desires for what amounted to visual gossip, the paperwork states. Bryant Eric Leonard reports for NBC4 News at 5 p.m. on May 3, 2021. All nine people aboard, including the pilot, Ara Zobayan, died in the crash. The employment status of all three was not immediately clear Wednesday. Bryants case claimed dissemination of the images was so widespread within the sheriff's department that one detective who received some of the pictures told investigators he couldn't remember who gave them to him. Imbrenda alleged he was demoted for refusing to hand over his personal cellphone during the investigation into the photos, which he said was a violation of the Firefighter Bill of Rights. You must enable JavaScript in your browser to view and post comments. The lawsuit says that by sharing the photos, those involved including the deputy at the bar and firefighters weeks later at an awards banquet violated the victims families constitutional rights to control images of their loved ones remains. They then sent the photos to a third firefighter -- a media relations officer who went to the scene and later shared the images with off-duty firefighters and their wives and girlfriends while socializing at an awards ceremony at a Hilton hotel the month after the crash. The deputies were not named as defendants in the suit. Firefighters to be fired in Kobe Bryant helicopter crash scene Copyright 2023 FireRescue1. The lawyers faulted county officials for choosing to wait until March 22 to hand over the internal reports detailing the firefighters actions even though the department decided to discharge them months earlier. In a courtroom on the seventh floor of the marbled federal courthouse in downtown Los Angeles, a high-stakes drama is playing out, pitting one of the countrys largest law enforcement agencies against the widow of one of the citys patron saints. And that is fact, not speculation.. Tauscher painted a gruesome picture of the crash site, offering detailed insight into the grisly scene that would've been captured in the photos. Attorneys representing L.A. County have asked the judge to dismiss Bryant's case, arguing that because the photos never made it into the public domain, Bryant hasn't suffered any actual harm and that no invasion of privacy took place. The National Transportation Safety Board said pilot Ara Zobayan ignored his training when he intentionally flew into blinding clouds at high speed, allowing himself to become susceptible to spatial disorientation. The Garden has lots of trails, and many are accessible for wheelchairs and strollers. Lawyers representing Los Angeles County said that taking photographs of fatal crime and accident scenes was common practice for investigative and information-sharing purposes, and that no crash site photos had ever been distributed publicly because, in part, all county personnel deleted the images from their phones and they cannot be recovered. Like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/TheSunUS and follow us from our main Twitter account at @TheSunUS, Heartbroken dad issues warning after son, 13, dies in TikTok challenge, Red flag after possible suspect in missing brothers case made eerie request, Two dead and four injured after 19-year-old 'opens fire at prom after party', $80k reward offered for shooting suspect Francisco Oropesa after five killed, 2020 THE SUN, US, INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED | TERMS OF USE | PRIVACY | YOUR AD CHOICES | SITEMAP, Vanessa Bryant filed a lawsuit against the LAPD Sheriff for inappropriate photos of Kobe and Gianna's death site in 2020, The photos reportedly show the bodies of the NBA legend, his daughter, and seven others who died in the crash, Deputies allegedly allowed their colleagues to see the photos that had no investigative purpose, At least eight deputies allegedly snapped photos of the dead children, their parents and coaches, according to the lawsuit, An investigator from the National Transportation Safety Board examines the plane wreckage, LAPD Sheriff Alex Villanueva allegedly didn't tell the victims' families about the images, Vanessa claims in her filing, Charred parts from the doomed helicopter that crashed into a mountainside in Calabasas, Victim's families only learned of the scandal in the media after the story broke, the lawsuit claims, A search helicopter lands near the site where Kobe's Mamba Chopper crashed, Authorities search the scene for clues through thick plumes of smoke, Local fire crews assisted in the search for all nine victims' bodies, Vanessa shared Instagram photos of Kobe memorabilia that she collected throughout his career, She posed for a photo wearing her late husband's team jacket, Kobe's wife took a '#Keepsake' selfie in his high school basketball warm-up jacket, A photo of the jersey worn by Kobe during the 2001 NBA Finals, the year he and the Lakers won the championship, Kobe and his 13-year-old daughter Gianna were killed in a helicopter crash in California on January 26, Seven others died alongside the NBA legend and his daughter, Vanessa Bryant paystribute to her late husband Kobe and daughter with two new tattoos, askingVanessato undergo a psychiatric evaluation, showed off the crash site pics to a woman he was trying to impress, they'd get off scot-free if they deleted the photos, shared Instagram photos of memorabilia pieces. Kobe Bryant photos Sheriff Alex Villanueva condemned the deputies' behavior and, in a move that has since been heavily criticized, ordered them to delete the photos. Ron Hernandez, president of the Association for Los Angeles Deputy Sheriffs, had previously declined to say if the deputies named by Bryant have been disciplined, are on modified duty or even if they're still employed by the department. Our experts predict every series, 2023 NBA playoffs: Second-round series, Finals, MVP odds, 'He looks better than ever': Why the Orlando bubble was 'just the beginning' for Jamal Murray, Memphis wasn't 'fine in the West' -- getting there hinges on massive culture questions, 'Help the bear': LeBron James trolls Dillon Brooks, Memphis Grizzlies, Why the Lakers' real test begins now, after dispatching the No. The suit claims the Sheriff never gave the family clear answers, and now Vanessa lives in constant fear that the devastating photos will leak to the public. Kobe Bryant crash pics exchanged by cops playing 'Call of Duty' Villanueva told NBC News in March 2020 the behavior was "inexcusable," "inappropriate" and "unconscionable," and said the deputies were immediately ordered to delete the images. Sign up for notifications from Insider! Mendez went home and, from his parked car in his driveway, sent a complaint through the Sheriffs Department website. Los Angeles County attorneys have argued that there is no legal basis for Vanessa Bryant's lawsuit because the photos were not publicly disseminated. WebBy Eric Leonard and Andrew Blankstein The Los Angeles County Fire Department planned to terminate the employment of two firefighters and suspend a third for allegedly taking Villanueva allegedly didn't tell the victims' families about the images - their loved ones only learned of the scandal in the media after the story broke, according to the lawsuit. LOS ANGELES COUNTY, Calif. Two Los Angeles County firefighters who allegedly took souvenir photos of victims remains at the scene of Kobe Bryants horrific helicopter crash last year are facing termination, a new court filing claims. Firefighters Copyright 2023 The former LA Fire Department captain was present at the scene of the incident and spoke of images that will haunt [him] forever after admitting that he took 25 to 30 photographs of the crash site. She offered insight into the grisly scene to give a sense of what photos of the site would show. The disclosure was made by lawyers for the late basketball stars wife, Vanessa Bryant, in court documents related to her invasion of privacy lawsuit against Los Angeles County. Kobe Bryant crash photos Sheriff's deputies and firefighters accused of circulating photographs of Kobe Bryants body at the scene of his death have begun testifying in court. Kobe Bryant crash photos The Los Angeles County Fire Department planned to terminate the employment of two firefighters and suspend a third for allegedly taking graphic photos of the Kobe Bryant helicopter crash scene and sharing them with their wives and girlfriends, according to court documents filed this week. The plaintiffs are seeking damages for emotional distress. 2,213 Kobe Bryant Crash Premium High Res Photos - Getty Images The third firefighter received an "intention to suspend" letter. By clicking Sign up, you agree to receive marketing emails from Insider Kobe Bryant and the others were killed Jan. 26, 2020, when the helicopter they were aboard crashed west of Los Angeles. Representatives from the union that represents firefighters did not immediately respond to The Associated Press' request for comment Wednesday. Lexipol. Top editors give you the stories you want delivered right to your inbox each weekday. sued the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, took and shared photos of the January 2020 crash site. Gavin Newsom last year signed a law that makes it a crime for first responders to take unauthorized photos of deceased people at the scene of an accident or crime. "We never laughed about the photos, I'm 100% sure of that what type of human beings would we be." It was the second day of a jury trial in U.S. District Court involving a lawsuit filed by Bryants widow, Vanessa Bryant, alleging that her privacy was invaded when Los Angeles County deputies and Fire Department personnel shared crash site photos with their friends and colleagues. His lawsuit says he received photos from people working at the crash site "as is common practice on all major incidents.". For other inquiries, Contact Us. Leaked graphic pictures of Kobe Bryant and Gigi's bodies 'found Kobe and Gigi were on their way to the Mamba Academy for basketball practice when the private helicopter went down in the Calabasas mountains northwest of Los Angeles. The Monday filing by Bryant's attorneys also included more specific information drawn from a confidential sheriff's department internal affairs report that said the captain of the Malibu-Lost Hills station attempted to stop deputies from deleting the photos, warning they could be violating the law by destroying evidence. His testimony about the nature of the photos forced Vanessa Bryant to leave the courtroom early. Olly Murs breaks down on stage over Caroline Flack 'regret', Fulham's Pereira stretchered off with suspected broken leg in worrying scenes, One dead and seven injured as knifeman goes on bloody rampage near club, 'Meghan killed me - then she mourns me', says estranged dad Thomas Markle, News Group Newspapers Limited in England No. Kobe Bryant's widow has been awarded $16m (13.6m) in damages over leaked graphic photos of the helicopter crash that killed the US basketball star and his daughter in 2020. Seven other passengers were also killed in the fiery crash. She told the courtroom that the coroner's office did not invite the families to identify their loved ones after the crash because of the intense and unidentifiable nature of their condition. Here's How They're Doing It, How SNL Star Ego Nwodim Brought Lisa From Temecula' to Life, Women Found Dead Near Railroad in Carson Identified, Hollywood Braces for Possible Writers Strike as Talks Continue. All rights reserved, County Asks Judge to Dismiss Lawsuit Over Kobe Bryant Helicopter Crash Photos, County Says Vanessa Bryant Lacks Basis to Sue Deputies Over Crash Photos, 25-Year-Old Makes $200/Hour Without a Bachelor's Degree: I Work Less Than 6 Hours a Day', Fraudsters Are Using Pictures of Your Car to Scam You. USA Todayreports the filings read: "Despite putting their mental condition front and center in this case, Plaintiffs refuse to submit to independent medical examinations (IMEs). County cops and fire officials took and shared graphic photos of Kobe and Gigi Bryant's crash Seven other passengers were also killed in the fiery crash. Low water lines from the drought in California can be seen on the banks of Lake McClure formed by the New Exchequer Dam in Mariposa County last month. Emily Tauscher gave graphic testimony about the post-crash condition of They were caught sharing graphic photos they had stored on their phones of the helicopter crash that killed Lakers legend Kobe Bryant, his daughter and seven others. "No fewer than 8 sheriff's deputies at the crash site, pulled out their personal cell phones and snapped photos of the dead children, parents and coaches," says the lawsuit, which TMZ obtained a copy of. In Vanessa's lawsuit, she claims Sheriff Alex Villanueva attempted to cover up the misconduct by going to the department substation that responded to the crash and told deputies they'd get off scot-free if they deleted the photos. She is suing the county over claims of negligence, emotional distress, and invasion of privacy, as well as allegations on the federal level that relate to her constitutional right to the images of her deceased loved ones and LA County agency practices that may have led to the taking and dissemination of photos. County officials have not denied that Cruz shared the photos at the bar, saying the young trainee's behavior was a "lapse." Soumya Karlamangla, Isabella Grulln Paz and Briana Scalia contributed to California Today. Bryant is suing the county for negligence, emotional distress, and invasion of privacy claims as well as federal claims which relate to the constitutional right to the images of her deceased loved ones, and LA County agency practices that led to the alleged taking and dissemination of photos. Summer of NIMBY: Tech moguls and investors, whose industry champions housing relief, have banded together to object to a plan for multifamily homes near their estates in Atherton. The third firefighter received an "intention to suspend" letter. The captain, whose name is not included in the court declaration, said he was told by superiors that if deputies deleted the photos "there would be no discipline," but if the photos became public, "all bets were off and they would be fired.". They maintain the photos did not spread from outside the bar and were deleted shortly after. Kobe Bryant crash photos were shared by deputies as gossip, Capt. Kobe and Gianna Bryant were among nine people killed in January 2020 when the helicopter they were riding in flew through thick clouds and crashed into a hillside near Calabasas. He returned home and drafted a complaint to the LASD in his driveway before he even entered his home because he "had to sleep well that night.". You can reach the team at CAtoday@nytimes.com. Gutierrez told the court. Vanessa Bryant opens up to People magazine about coping with loss, "inexcusable," "inappropriate" and "unconscionable,". Vanessa Bryant is suing Los Angeles County, saying that her privacy was invaded when sheriffs deputies and firefighters privately shared photos of the fatal scene.