Kobe Bryant Crash Photos Trial: Vanessa Bryant 'Asphyxiated' With Horror in Possibility Crash Photos May Leak Someday

Craig Lavoie, the attorney representing Vanessa Bryant, made his closing arguments on the civil case filed by the wife of the late Los Angeles Lakers star Kobe Bryant against the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department (LASD) and the Fire Department.

The day was special, as it was supposed to be Kobe Bryant's 44th birthday, and Lavoie implored the jury that they must demand justice and accountability for Kobe and Gianna.

In his argument, the attorney said the January 2020 helicopter crash was "devastating and life-shattering" for his client, and he condemned the sheriff and fire department officials who were the defendants in the case.

He noted that they were "supposed to protect the dignity of those who perished on that hillside." He added that their behavior "shocks the conscience," adding that Vanessa is "haunted by the idea that the images could come out."

He argued that she was unable to calm down from the anxiety and felt "asphyxiated" about the thought that these images might surface someday.

Lavoie also called out the defendants, saying that the county does not know who has the photos and to who the officers sent them.

This was about the photos taken by the firemen and police officers at the crash site, which showed the mangled bodies of Kobe Bryant, his daughter, and others.

The lawsuit came after a police officer showed off the photos while off duty in a bar in Los Angeles.

Los Angeles County Sheriff's Deputies Tried Covering Up Photos

Los Angeles County Sheriff Alex Villanueva issued a deletion order to deputies and other personnel about the photos.

He ordered to "not let the photos see the light of day." Unfortunately for Villanueva, the plaintiffs' attorneys zeroed in on the directive, accusing the sheriff of a cover-up.

According to the Insider, the LA Times began a probe into the complaint, but the LASD just feigned ignorance. Chief Jorge Valdez, then a media relations captain, told the newspaper they had no knowledge of the deletion order.

However, Valdez was already in possession of a USB containing surveillance footage of the incident for almost a month without officially reviewing it.

The Insider reported that the LASD only started an internal investigation two days after the LA Times published an article about it.

It also noted that the stories from the deputies changed numerous times, with what they said in internal investigations and what they said in depositions contradicting.

However, these deputies have also claimed failed memory while on the stand. It led the plaintiffs' attorneys to go on the offensive and suggest that a cover-up happened.

During the trial, the plaintiffs' attorneys presented a tech expert who said that the deputies "violated fundamental forensic policies" when they deleted the crash site photos.

Vanessa Bryant Shares Heartfelt Message to Kobe Bryant and Gianna

The closing arguments were presented during the 44th birthday of Kobe Bryant on Tuesday. On her Instagram, Vanessa Bryant posted a photo of her with Kobe and wrote, "Happy birthday, baby! I love you and miss you so much! #44"

According to The Daily Mail, the post came after she sobbed and gasped for air in court. She said, "I can't escape my body. I can't escape what I feel," and admitted to having panic attacks whenever she thought about the possibility of the photos surfacing.

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Rick Martin

WATCH: Vanessa Bryant Pays Tribute to Kobe Bryant on His 44th Birthday - From Entertainment Tonight