It’s been more than two years since the death of Kobe Bryant and the eight other passengers who were aboard his fatal helicopter flight, including his 13-year-old daughter, Gianna. As wife and mother to the deceased, Vanessa Bryant will understandably never be able to forget what happened – and she’s not letting others, either. In a high-profile suit against the first responders who took and distributed photos of the crash site, she continues to seek justice. However, the judge presiding over the case apparently had cause to scold Vanessa’s legal team of late in the sensitive matter.
Los Angeles County itself and its sheriff, fire departments and supposed officers involved, were all named in the suit leveled by the late basketball player’s widow. Although the trial date was delayed by the COVID-19 pandemic of 2020, it was still scheduled according to reports by Insider, it’s hit a different snag altogether in recent months. Both sides were criticized by John Walter, California District Judge, for giving too much evidence at a pre-trial hearing. He stated:
Since February, I have been trying to get this document. It is over a hundred pages long and not very helpful. It is time to gather together and get these trial exhibits into some order.
It would be a “never-ending battle” if Vanessa Bryant’s team and the defense didn’t whittle down the excessive documents to those of most import. A representative for L.A. County made a statement to the outlet that they are complying with the judge’s orders.
Kobe Bryant’s wife is specifically suing the state of California for the alleged crash site images causing emotional distress and being an invasion of privacy. She also invokes her constitutional right to image of loved ones who have died, which was allegedly violated when she was not allowed to see the crash site. Accordingly, the judge said that due to the different legal jurisdictions, the trial will be divided with the state facing the first. Proposed hearings will be held in August.
After Vanessa Bryant, the death of the NBA legend hit the sports world the hardest back in 2020, with homage given in one episode of ESPN’s The Last DanceYou can stream it now with a Netflix subscription. However, celebs and fans alike would eventually reveal what Kobe Bryant meant. Jimmy Fallon, Jemele Hills, and others paid touching tributes to him on the anniversary of his passing last year.
His memory lives on through Vanessa Bryant, but his legacy is not lost. She shared an intimate story about him with us. The Notebook’s iconic blue dress only a month after his passing. She also posted a heartbreaking message on what would’ve been Kobe’s 42nd birthday last August.
In the coming weeks, more details about the lawsuit will be revealed. In the meantime viewers can still watch the five Kobe Bryant documentaries and specials that are available on streaming platforms.