Gwyneth Paltrow has taken the stand to testify in a trial over a ski crash at a Utah ski resort, the place a person claims that the film star’s recklessness on the slope brought on damaged ribs, mind harm and lasting bodily accidents.
Paltrow and Terry Sanderson, the retired optometrist suing her, are each anticipated to reply questions concerning the crash whereas their attorneys jostle to persuade the 8-member jury which skier was positioned downhill and had the best of manner. The actor-turned-lifestyle influencer has mentioned that Sanderson was answerable for the crash.
Paltrow’s closely anticipated testimony comes midway into the trial and on the ultimate afternoon Sanderson’s attorneys might compel her to testify. Throughout the week in Utah, her attorneys have requested for particular restrictions, together with limiting images each within the courtroom and within the public parking zone outdoors — the place a rope cordons off Paltrow’s entrance and exit paths.
Her testimony might last more than an hour and is anticipated to reflect what she mentioned in a earlier deposition about how she “froze” when the crash occurred.
“We came crashing down together. This man was behind me on the mountain,” she said in November 2020. “My knee – and our skis — were still sort of tangled up. Our bodies were almost spooning and I moved away quickly. And my knee splayed open, and I was in shock.”
Next week, Paltrow’s team is expected to call to the stand medical experts, ski instructors and her two children, Moses and Apple.
The trial has touched on themes ranging from skier’s etiquette to the power — and burden — of celebrity.
After the collision, Sanderson sent his daughters an email with the subject line: “I’m famous … At what cost?” One of the daughters wrote back: “I also can’t believe this is all on GoPro.”
GoPro cameras are commonly worn by outdoor athletes and patrons of upscale ski resorts to capture action sports.
Sanderson’s daughter, Shae Herath, testified Friday that she didn’t know whether GoPro footage existed, despite her email. She said her father told her over the phone that he assumed there must be GoPro footage of the collision — from someone on the crowded run with a camera affixed to their helmet.
“There was this big, blood curdling scream. Someone would’ve looked,” Herath said, recalling the conversation with her father about how Paltrow shrieked during their collision.
While Sanderson’s attorneys have focused on their client’s deteriorating health, Paltrow’s legal team has intrigued the jury with recurring questions about the mysterious, missing GoPro footage. No video footage has since been located or entered as evidence.
The trial thus far has shone a spotlight on Park City, Utah — the posh ski town known for rolling out a red carpet for celebrities each January during the Sundance Film Festival — and skiers-only Deer Valley Resort, where Paltrow and Sanderson collided. The resort is among the most upscale in North America, known for sunny slopes, après-ski champagne yurts and luxury lodges.
The proceedings have delved deep into the 76-year-old Sanderson’s medical history and personality changes, with attorneys questioning whether his deteriorating health and estranged relationships stemmed from the collision or natural process of aging.
After a decide threw out Sanderson’s earlier US$3.1 million lawsuit, Sanderson then claimed damages of “more than US$300,000.” Paltrow has countersued for a symbolic US$1 and attorney fees. The amount of money at stake for both sides pales in comparison to the typical legal costs of a multiyear lawsuit, private security detail and expert witness-heavy trial.
Lawyers for Paltrow spent much of Thursday raising questions about Sanderson’s mentions of their client’s wealth and celebrity as well as what they called his “obsession” with the lawsuit.
The first three days of the trial featured testimony from medical consultants, Sanderson’s private physician, a ski companion and his daughter, who mentioned she observed post-concussion signs lower than a 12 months after the accident.
Her attorneys Thursday requested Sanderson’s daughter whether or not her father thought it was “cool” to collide with a star like Paltrow, the Oscar-winning star of “Shakespeare in Love” and founder-CEO of way of life model, Goop.
Paltrow’s attorneys have forged doubt on Sanderson’s medical consultants and steered that the lawsuit could possibly be an try to use her fame and celeb.
Source: www.9news.com.au
