California:Â A federal jury today ordered Los Angeles County to pay $31 million in damages over graphic photos taken at the site of the helicopter crash that killed the basketball star and eight others.
The damages were awarded to Bryant’s widow, Vanessa, and co-plaintiff Chris Chester, whose wife Sarah and 13-year-old daughter Payton also died in the Jan. 26, 2020, crash on a Calabasas hillside.
The jury awarded Bryant $16 million and Chester $15 million.
The award comes just one day after what would have been the Lakers legend’s 44th birthday.
The unofficial remembrance of Bryant, who was nicknamed Black Mamba, takes place every August 24 — or 8/24, in a nod to the uniform numbers — 8 and 24 — that he wore during his 20-year Hall-of-Fame career.
