Gwyneth Paltrow victorious in ski trial
Gwyneth Paltrow has emerged victorious in a 2016 ski collision civil trial.
The Oscar-winning actor and entrepreneur had been sued by Terry Sanderson, a retired optometrist, who claimed that Paltrow was at fault in a collision that took place over seven years ago at the Deer Valley Resort in Park City, Utah.
Sanderson had alleged that Paltrow caused him injuries.
However, the eight-person jury in the trial ruled in favour of Paltrow, finding that she was not liable for the collision.
The jury also ruled in Paltrow’s favour in her counterclaim against Sanderson.
According to CNN‘s Alisyn Camerota, one of the jurors, Sam Imrie said that it took less than 20 minutes for the jury to reach a unanimous decision that Paltrow was not at fault.
However, the jury deliberated for about two and a half hours to go through the nine questions on the verdict form.
Imrie also highlighted that the jurors were all on the same page and found Paltrow’s testimony credible.
Paltrow had testified during the trial that it was Sanderson who skied into her back as she was down slope from him.
Expert witness Dr. Irving Scher supported Paltrow’s version of events, testifying that it was the most likely scenario.
While the jury agreed that the actress was not liable for the collision, Imrie said that it was hard to say that Sanderson was at fault, as it seemed like just an accident.
Paltrow did not speak with reporters after the trial, but released a statement via her attorneys. “I felt that acquiescing to a false claim compromised my integrity,” Paltrow said in her statement.
“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.”
