Tuesday 16 August 2022 11:28 PM LA Deputy testifies at Kobe Bryant trial that he sent another cop graphic ... trends now
A Los Angeles Sheriff's Deputy claims he sent a fellow cop graphic photos of Kobe Bryant's deadly helicopter crash site while the two were playing Call of Duty.
Deputy Michael Russell told an LA jury on Tuesday that he texted photos of the crash to Santa Clarita Sheriff's Deputy Ben Sanchez a day after the wreck that killed the NBA star, 41, and his daughter, Gianna, 13, in 2020.
Russell said he was playing the popular shooting game with Sanchez when he told the deputy he had photos of the crime scene that he allegedly got from fellow LA Deputy Joey Cruz, TMZ reported.
Cruz also testified on Tuesday, admitting he showed off photos of the crash to a bartender to 'relieve the stress' he had been dealing with from the case.
Bryant's widow, Vanessa, is suing the LA County fire department and the sheriff's office for invasion of privacy after the images of the crash were shared by officers.
Los Angeles Sheriff's Deputy Michael Russell (top right) testified in court that he shared images of the helicopter that killed Kobe and Gianna Bryant a day after the incident to his video game buddy, Santa Clarita Sheriff's Deputy Ben Sanchez. Pictured: Court sketch showing widow Vanessa Bryant (center) listening to Russell's testimony
Russell said he was playing Call of Duty with Sanchez when he revealed he got photos of the accident from fellow LA deputy Joey Cruz. Russell had previously told investigators he sent the photo while at work and that the pics did not show bodily remains. This was untrue
Cruz also took the stand on Tuesday to admit that he did show off photos of the crash scene to a bartender (pictured), saying he felt remorseful for doing so
While on the stand, Cruz claimed he shared the graphic photos to relieve stress
Bryant's widow, Vanessa, is suing the LA County fire department and the sheriff's office for invasion of privacy after the images of the crash and her deceased husband and daughter (pictured together in 2019) were shared by officers
During his testimony, Russell also admitted to making errors when he originally told investigators that he shared the photos while he was working, and that the images
