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Graphic photos of Kobe Bryant helicopter crash prompt new California law that penalizes first responders for taking images of the dead at a crime scene or accident

California Gov. Gavin Newsom has approved legislation that will make it illegal for first responders to take unauthorized photos of deceased people at the scene of an accident or crime.

Newsom announced the news on Monday, with the new law prompted by the helicopter crash that killed Kobe Bryant and eight other people earlier this year.  

In the wake of that tragic January 26 accident, reports surfaced that graphic photos of the victims were being shared among law enforcement officers. 

Eight deputies were accused of taking or sharing graphic photos of the scene, Los Angeles County Sheriff Alex Villanueva said at the time. 

California Gov. Gavin Newsom has approved legislation that will make it illegal for first responders to take unauthorized photos of deceased people at the scene of an accident or crime. The new law is prompted by the helicopter crash that killed Kobe Bryant and his daughter, Gianna, back in January. The pair are pictured in November 2019

California Gov. Gavin Newsom has approved legislation that will make it illegal for first responders to take unauthorized photos of deceased people at the scene of an accident or crime. The new law is prompted by the helicopter crash that killed Kobe Bryant and his daughter, Gianna, back in January. The pair are pictured in November 2019

Eight deputies were accused of taking or sharing graphic photos of the scene of Bryant's helicopter crash

Eight deputies were accused of taking or sharing graphic photos of the scene of Bryant's helicopter crash  

He ordered the images to be deleted, and said that there was a policy against taking and sharing crime scene photos, but that it did not apply to accident scenes.

The new measures will take effect from January 1 next year, and will make it a misdemeanor with fines up to $1,000 per offense to take such photos for anything other than an official law enforcement purpose.

The legislation comes after Kobe Bryan'ts widow, Vanessa, filed a lawsuit against Sheriff Villanueva and his department over the photos - which have not been leaked to the public. 

In the lawsuit, Vanessa claims, 'No fewer than 8 sheriff's deputies at the crash site pulled out their personal cell phones and snapped photos of the dead children, parents and coaches. The deputies took these photos for their own personal gratification.'

The widow is claiming the photos and their distribution among officers caused her emotional distress, as she says the pictures were the subject of conversation that had no investigative purpose.

The legislation comes after Kobe Bryant's widow, Vanessa, last week filed a lawsuit against Sheriff Villanueva and his department over the photos

The legislation comes after Kobe Bryant's widow, Vanessa, last week filed a lawsuit against Sheriff Villanueva and his department over the photos

Kobe Bryant and his daughter, Gianna, were among the nine people killed in the crash on January 26. First responders are pictured on the scene

Kobe Bryant and his daughter, Gianna, were among the nine people killed in the crash on January 26. First responders are pictured on the scene

'Ms. Bryant feels ill at the thought of strangers gawking at images of her deceased husband and child, and she lives in fear that she or her children will one day confront horrific images of their loved ones online,' the suit states. 

The lawsuit also reveals the existence of the photos was exposed when a deputy at the bar showed a woman the images in an effort to impress her. 

The bartender reportedly overheard the conversation and reported it, exposing the sheriff's department.   

The lawsuit also claims Villanueva's attempt to cover up the photos was destruction of evidence. Vanessa says Villanueva never even told the families about the photos and they only learned about it through the media.  

The lawsuit is seeking unspecified damages, including punitive damages.

An investigator is seen at the crash site in the days following the accident

An investigator is seen at the crash site in the days following the accident 

In addition to Bryant and his daughter, John Altobelli, 56, the baseball coach at Orange Coast College, his wife, Keri Altobelli and their daughter Alyssa Altobelli were also killed.  

Christina Mauser, a basketball coach at the nearby Harbor Day School, Payton Chester, a middle-school student and Sarah Chester, Payton's mother also died. 

All of the passengers were on their way to a basketball tournament at Kobe's Mamba Sports Academy when the helicopter crashed.

 

The lawsuit states that Vanessa 'lives in fear that she or her children will one day confront horrific images of their loved ones online'

The lawsuit states that Vanessa 'lives in fear that she or her children will one day confront horrific images of their loved ones online'

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