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Gwyneth Paltrow news: Juror speaks out for first time after verdict in Goop mogul ski crash lawsuit

Actor and Goop founder won a civil lawsuit regarding 2016 ski collision involving retired optometrist Terry Sanderson

Andrea Blanco,Io Dodds
Monday 03 April 2023 11:41 BST
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Shae Sanderson accuses Gwyneth Paltrow of ‘ignoring’ her father in mountain ski crash

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A juror in Gwyneth Paltrow’s ski collision trial spoke out for the first time after the Goop mogul won the high-profile case.

Samantha Imrie told ABC’s Good Morning America that the panel was not influenced by Paltrow’s celebrity when they sided with the Hollywood star.

“The whole thing was a little shocking to me. We did have a unanimous decision. I think it’s important the public doesn’t just think this was a win because Gwyneth is a celebrity,” she said. “It’s based on the evidence and the law.”

On Thursday, jurors returned a verdict in favour of Paltrow, finding that Terry Sanderson, 76, was “100 per cent” at fault over a ski collision at the luxury Deer Valley Resort near Park City, Utah, on 26 February 2016.

Retired optometrist Mr Sanderson, 76, had sued Paltrow claiming she crashed into him leaving him with a permanent traumatic brain injury. Paltrow claimed it was Mr Sanderson who crashed into her.

Jurors heard two weeks of complex testimony by neurology and brain injury experts for both sides. Eyewitnesses, Deer Valley employees, Ms Paltrow’s children Apple and Moses, and Mr Sanderson’s daughters also testified under oath.

During closing arguments, Mr Sanderson’s attorney Lawrence Buhler argued that for 16 hours every day, Mr Sanderson is forced to live with the consequences of his brain injury. Mr Bhuler randomly suggested that jurors considered granting his client $33 per every hour he’s suffered from cognitive decline since the accident seven years ago, and for the ten years he is estimated to live.

Meanwhile, Paltrow’s defence attorney Steven Owens told the court that his client was a “punching bag” for Mr Sanderson and his family throughout the proceedings. “He hurt her and then he asked $3m for the pleasure of it,” Mr Owens said.

After two hours and 20 minutes of deliberation, the jurors sided with Paltrow and awarded her a symbolic $1.

In the aftermath, Paltrow said: “I felt that acquiescing to a false claim compromised my integrity. I am pleased with the outcome and I appreciate all of the hard work of Judge Holmberg and the jury, and thank them for their thoughtfulness in handling this case.”

For his part, Mr Sanderson insisted that he stands by his version of events.

Asked what he plans to do now, he joked “maybe Disneyland!” His lawyer Kristin van Orman said he was a “very nice man” who is “suffering”.

Gwyneth Paltrow not at fault for ski collision, jury finds

Jurors found Terry Sanderson was at fault for the collision with Ms Paltrow on the slopes at the luxury Deer Valley Resort near Park City, Utah, back on 26 February 2016.

The decision comes after two weeks of complex testimony by neurology and brain injury experts for both sides. Eyewitnesses, Deer Valley employees, Ms Paltrow’s children Apple and Moses, and Mr Sanderson’s daughters also testified under oath.

The verdict effectively awards Ms Paltrow a symbolic $1.

Gwyneth Paltrow not at fault for ski collision, jury finds

The verdict effectively awards Ms Paltrow a symbolic $1

Andrea Blanco31 March 2023 04:00

WATCH: Gwyneth Paltrow questioned over friendship with Taylor Swift in ski accident trial

Gwyneth Paltrow questioned over friendship with Taylor Swift in ski accident trial
Andrea Blanco31 March 2023 05:00

Gwyneth Paltrow has been cleared of all fault in a US lawsuit over a 2016 skiing collision, brought by retired optometrist Terry Sanderson.

Following a high-profile two-week trial in Utah, jurors returned a verdict in favour of the Oscar-winning actress after just over two hours.

Mr Sanderson had sued Ms Paltrow over the collision at the Deer Valley ski resort in Utah over seven years ago, which left him with several broken ribs and severe head injuries.

She had denied the claim, and accused Mr Sanderson of crashing into her, resulting in her losing “half a day of skiing” with her family and being “sore”.

On Thursday jurors apportioned “100%” of the blame to Mr Sanderson for the crash, and found him to be responsible for the injuries Ms Paltrow had suffered.

They awarded the actress her “symbolic” counterclaim of one dollar in damages.

Ms Paltrow and Mr Sanderson, who both gave evidence during the trial, were present in court for the verdict.

The actress wore a blue blazer, with a white shirt and brown trousers, and did not appear to react as the verdict was returned, but let out a long breath.

As she exited the courtroom she touched Mr Sanderson on the shoulder and whispered something to him.

She previously said she felt “very sorry” for his health decline following the incident, but maintained she had not been “at fault” and said she had been the “victim”.

Mr Sanderson’s lawyers previously suggested the jury award him damages of more than three million dollars in the case.

AP

Andrea Blanco31 March 2023 06:00

Prada boots and The Row coat: 6 times Gwyneth Paltrow nailed courtroom chic

The Goop founder has won her ski collision trial, but she drawn just as much attention over her ‘stealth luxury’ wardrobe.

6 times Gwyneth Paltrow nailed courtroom chic

The Goop founder is testifying in her ski collision trial, but has drawn just as much attention over her ‘stealth luxury’ wardrobe

Andrea Blanco31 March 2023 07:00

Gwyneth Paltrow accuser’s lawyer uses made-up equation to claim actor owes client $33 an hour – $3.2m in total – for ski crash injuries

A lawyer for the man accusing Gwyneth Paltrow of having caused a 2016 ski crash used a made-up equation to claim that the actor owes his client $33 an hour, or $3.2m in total, for his injuries.

But despite his arguments, jurors found Terry Sanderson “100% at fault for the accident.”

Gwyneth Paltrow accuser’s lawyer uses made-up equation to claim damages

‘The full value of the harm and losses that he’s dealing with every day. I’m going to say $33’

Andrea Blanco31 March 2023 08:00

Watch: Gwyneth Paltrow whispers final message to ski crash accuser after winning lawsuit

Gwyneth Paltrow whispers final message to ski crash accuser after winning lawsuit
Peony Hirwani31 March 2023 08:30

Gwyneth Paltrow and Brad Falchuk: A timeline of their relationship after the actress’ trial win

The Goop CEO and her TV writer husband first met on the set of ‘Glee’ in 2010 and were married eight years later.

Gwyneth Paltrow and Brad Falchuk: A timeline of their relationship

The Goop CEO and the TV writer first met on the set of ‘Glee’ in 2010 and were married eight years later

Andrea Blanco31 March 2023 09:00

Watch: Paltrow lawyer says ski crash hurt her attempt to blend families with Brad Falchuck

Paltrow lawyer says ski crash hurt her attempt to blend families with Brad Falchuck
Peony Hirwani31 March 2023 10:00

Viral memes, wine-tasting and ‘big girl pants’: Key moments from Gwyneth Paltrow’s ‘hit-and-run’ ski trial

The Oscar-winning actress won her ski collision trial — and plenty of moments went viral.

Key moments from Gwyneth Paltrow’s ‘hit-and-run’ ski trial

The bombshell trial entered its second week on Monday — and plenty of moments have already gone viral , writes Andrea Blanco

Andrea Blanco31 March 2023 11:00

How an online sleuth uncovered a group chat and won case for Gwyneth Paltrow

The messages offered an insight into the reactions of skiers who were on the slopes on the day of the crash.

The Independent’s Andrea Blanco:

How an online sleuth uncovered a group chat and won case for Gwyneth Paltrow

The messages offered an insight into the reactions of skiers who were on the slopes on the day of the crash, writes Andrea Blanco

Andrea Blanco31 March 2023 12:00

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