Vanessa Bryant Continues Battle To Have Kobe’s Wrongful Death Trial In L.A.

Vanessa Bryant, Kobe Bryant

Vanessa Bryant Continues Battle To Have Kobe’s Wrongful Death Trial In L.A.

According to reports, Vanessa Bryant is battling the helicopter company, Island Express, and the family of Ara Zobayan (the now-deceased pilot involved in the deaths of Kobe Bryant and seven other passengers) as they try to get the court to move the case from Los Angeles to Orange County. 

As previously reported, following the tragic death of her husband Kobe Bryant and daughter Gianna Bryant this past January, Vanessa Bryant filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the helicopter company and the pilot’s estate. The families of the other passengers that were onboard have filed lawsuits as well. 

Even though the unfortunate crash took place in Calabasas, which is a city in Los Angeles County, the family of Ara Zobayan requested that their court appearance take place outside of L.A; mainly because they feel it will be impossible to receive a fair trial in the city where Kobe Bryant once played for the Lakers. 

Ara Zobayan

The court documents of the Zoboyan family’s response to Vanessa Bryant’s demand for a trial read:

“Defendant Zobayan intends to file a motion to transfer venue to a county outside Los Angeles county on the grounds that an impartial jury cannot be empaneled in Los Angeles Superior Court in this matter.”

However, Vanessa Bryant is now arguing back that her husband was loved everywhere. According to reports, Vanessa selected L.A. because it’s where the helicopter crash took place and she wants to keep the court case there. She also points out that her family lived in Orange County for almost 20 years.  

When speaking on the Zoboyan family’s attempt to have the court venue moved, her attorney stated in court documents that the

“Defendant fails to acknowledge the extent to which Kobe Bryant’s legacy penetrates American culture.” 

They added,

“There is no county line at which Kobe Bryant’s celebrity suddenly evaporates. Public esteem for Kobe Bryant is a fact of American life.”

What are your thoughts on Vanessa Bryant wanting the trial to stay in Los Angeles? Let us know in the comments.