Vanessa Bryant Wants Lawsuit Judge To Reject Petition To Change Venue From L.A.

BY Erika Marie 46.7K Views
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Vanessa Bryant, Kobe Bryant, Wrongful Death
Vanessa Bryant is asking a court not to approve a change of venue from L.A. to Orange County.

As she continues to grieve the losses of her husband and 13-year-old daughter, Vanessa Bryant is finding comfort with her loved ones. She's shared silly videos of her daughters Natalia, Bianka, and Capri, and she's posted clips with friends like "Unclue" Pau Gasol and bestie La La Anthony. As she moves forward with her new normal, Vanessa Bryant continues her wrongful death lawsuit against Island Express Helicopters. She's stated that pilot Ara Zobayan—who also died in the helicopter crash that took the lives of Kobe Bryant, Gianna Bryant, and six others—may have been negligent while operating the aircraft.

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TMZ reported that Island Express Helicopters along with Zobayan's estate have asked the courts to move the place of venue outside of Los Angeles due to Kobe's popularity. They want the case to take place in Orange County because they believe a fair trial in L.A. just isn't feasible due to his iconic Lakers status. Vanessa's legal team have answered that petition and hope that a court rejects the request. 

Vanessa's team also argued that the crash occurred in L.A. County, so the court case should be held there. "Defendant fails to acknowledge the extent to which Kobe Bryant’s legacy penetrates American culture," court documents reportedly state. "There is no county line at which Kobe Bryant’s celebrity suddenly evaporates. Public esteem for Kobe Bryant is a fact of American life."

A judge has yet to make a decision.

[via]


About The Author
Since 2019, Erika Marie has worked as a journalist for HotNewHipHop, covering music, film, television, art, fashion, politics, and all things regarding entertainment. With 20 years in the industry under her belt, Erika Marie moved from a writer on the graveyard shift at HNHH to becoming a Features Editor, highlighting long-form content and interviews with some of Hip Hop’s biggest stars. She has had the pleasure of sitting down with artists and personalities like DJ Jazzy Jeff, Salt ’N Pepa, Nick Cannon, Rah Digga, Rakim, Rapsody, Ari Lennox, Jacquees, Roxanne Shante, Yo-Yo, Sean Paul, Raven Symoné, Queen Naija, Ryan Destiny, DreamDoll, DaniLeigh, Sean Kingston, Reginae Carter, Jason Lee, Kamaiyah, Rome Flynn, Zonnique, Fantasia, and Just Blaze—just to name a few. In addition to one-on-one chats with influential public figures, Erika Marie also covers content connected to the culture. She’s attended and covered the BET Awards as well as private listening parties, the Rolling Loud festival, and other events that emphasize established and rising talents. Detroit-born and Long Beach (CA)-raised, Erika Marie has eclectic music taste that often helps direct the interests she focuses on here at HNHH. She finds it necessary to report on cultural conversations with respect and honor those on the mic and the hardworking teams that help get them there. Moreover, as an advocate for women, Erika Marie pays particular attention to the impact of femcees. She sits down with rising rappers for HNHH—like Big Jade, Kali, Rubi Rose, Armani Caesar, Amy Luciani, and Omerettà—to gain their perspectives on a fast-paced industry.