Vanessa Bryant Wins Ruling, L.A. County Officials Will Have to Testify About Released Helicopter Crash Photos

Vanessa Bryant has won a ruling against Los Angeles County’s sheriff and fire chief, forcing them to answer questions about the pictures first responders took of Kobe Bryant, her daughter Gianna and others who perished in the 2020 helicopter crash.

On Tuesday, U.S. Magistrate Judge Charles Eick ruled that Sheriff Alex Villanueva and County Fire Chief Daryl Osby would have to give a pre-trial testimony in Bryant’s civil lawsuit case, highlighting the obtainment distribution of the photos that were taken of Kobe and the other victims.

The ruling comes weeks after Bryant was deposed in relation to her lawsuit that claimed she underwent emotional distress following the release of the images of her family.

In the deposition, Bryant detailed how it felt for her to learn that emergency workers not only took photos of her dead family and friends but how the photos were also sent out to several people.

“The impact of the helicopter crash was so damaging, I just don’t understand how someone can have no regard for life and compassion, and, instead, choose to take that opportunity to photograph lifeless and helpless individuals for their own sick amusement,” Bryant said in her deposition on Oct. 12.

In response to the ruling, a lawyer involved in defense of the sheriff and chief said, “While we disagree with the court’s decision, we will make both the Sheriff and Fire Chief available for deposition.” He added, “Their testimony will not change the fact that there is no evidence any photos taken by County first responders have ever been publicly disseminated.”