Gwyneth Paltrow was seen touching Terry Sanderson’s shoulder and whispering “I wish you the best” before triumphantly exiting court after winning a case against the retired optometrist who claimed she caused a skiing accident in 2016.
After a two-hour and 20-minute deliberation Thursday, the jury found that 76-year-old Sanderson was the one responsible for the crash seven years ago.
As Paltrow left court, she was seen touching Sanderson’s shoulder before making the gracious remark. Sanderson told reporters outside the courthouse that he replied, “Thanks, honey.”
The win comes after eight days of live-streamed courtroom testimony that drew global audiences and became a pop culture fixation, and in which Paltrow and Sanderson portrayed a much more strained relationship – the 76-year-old previously likened her to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein .
Gwyneth Paltrow was seen touching Terry Sanderson’s shoulder and whispering “I wish you the best” before triumphantly exiting court after winning a case against the retired optometrist who claimed she caused a skiing accident in 2016
After a two-hour and 20-minute deliberation Thursday, the jury found that 76-year-old Sanderson was the one responsible for the crash seven years ago
Paltrow’s determined expression softened and she glanced over at her attorneys with a faint smile as the judge read the verdict in the Park City courtroom.
The actress smiled and waved at photographers as she walked out of court but declined to comment.
Paltrow’s attorney read a statement from the actress in court.
Owens said, “We are pleased with the result and appreciate the judge’s and jury’s attention. Gwyneth has always stood for what is right and this situation is no different. She will continue to stand up for what is right.”
A statement was released by their representatives.
“I felt that agreeing to a false claim compromised my integrity,” Paltrow said. “I am pleased with the outcome and appreciate the hard work of Judge Holmberg and the jury and thank them for their care in handling this case.”
As Paltrow left the court, she was seen touching Sanderson’s shoulder and saying, “I wish you the best.” Sanderson told reporters outside the courthouse that he replied, “Thank you, dear.”
The actress smiled and waved at photographers as she walked out of court
Meanwhile, a dejected Sanderson said he stood by his version despite losing the case
Meanwhile, a dejected Sanderson said he stands by his version of events despite losing the case.
When asked what he’s up to next, he joked, “Maybe Disneyland!”
Outside of court, Sanderson’s attorney Kristin Van Orman said she wasn’t impressed with Paltrow, adding, “I’ve been a lawyer for 30 years and juries never surprise me.”
Of Sanderson, she added, “He’s suffering, he’s a very nice man.”
The dismissal concludes a two-week court case that focused primarily on reputation rather than the financial damage that the case is about.
Paltrow’s attorneys called the complaint against her “utter bullshit” and called the Goop founder and CEO uniquely prone to unfair, frivolous lawsuits because of her celebrity.
Paltrow took the witness stand during the trial to insist the collision wasn’t her fault and to describe how she was stunned when she felt “a body squeeze and a very strange grunt.”
Sanderson described on the stand that Paltrow punched him in the back and sent him flying
While father-of-three Sanderson says the actress bumped into him while he let out what he described as “the best hysterical scream you’ve ever heard,” Paltrow says he crashed into her — costing her half a day of skiing have lost.
During his testimony Wednesday, he made a wild comparison between Paltrow and Epstein, saying she must be “held accountable” for the crash.
“I guess what’s going on here? This is obviously a problem that someone must be held accountable for, and if they are never held accountable, what will they do? You will do it again,’ he began.
“Now we have the … molestation of young children on an island,” he said, referring to Epstein’s notorious “pedophile island” in the Caribbean, where he had trafficked and sexually abused dozens of girls.
A stunned Paltrow looked over at her attorney, who called Sanderson’s testimony “ridiculous.”
The judge then asked the jury to ignore Sanderson’s words.
Paltrow’s account of hitting Terry Sanderson was shown in an animated reconstruction, as the defense claims he was actually the one who hit the actress from behind
Sanderson filed damages in January 2019 — initially $3.1 million. A judge reduced the amount to $300,000 in compensation for the injuries sustained.
Paltrow then filed a countersuit, demanding a token $1 and payment of her legal fees.
Sanderson’s attorneys attempted to portray their client as someone who was lively and active before the accident but changed significantly afterward.
He claims she punched him in the back with such force that he was left with “permanent traumatic brain injury, four fractured ribs, pain, suffering, loss of zest for life, emotional distress and disfigurement.”
Sanderson told the court, “I just remember everything was great and then I heard something I’ve never heard in a ski resort and it was a bloodthirsty scream.
“And then, Boom, it was like someone got out of control and hit a tree and died. That’s what I [remembered] until I got hit.’
Gwyneth Paltrow (far right) reacts during closing arguments in her skiing accident trial on Thursday, as Terry Sanderson’s attorney (centre) told the jury their version of the story was wrong
“I was hit so hard in the back … right on my shoulder blades, and the fists and the sticks were right there at the bottom of my shoulder blades, a serious, serious punch,” he added. ‘Never been hit so hard.’
In his complaint, Sanderson argued that Paltrow “got up, turned and drove away” without calling for help, leaving him “stunned, lying in the snow, badly injured.”
Paltrow and her team said their ski instructor was on site and helped Sanderson.
Paltrow’s team argued that Sanderson’s downfall, while very sad, was unrelated to the accident, citing previous medical problems.
They also stressed that Sanderson’s daughter, Jenny, said her relationship with her father had been strained for many years.
And they repeatedly noted that Sanderson had emailed his daughters saying, “I’m famous.”
Paltrow gives Sanderson a stunned look before glancing over at her attorney, who called the statement “ridiculous.” The judge then asked the jury to ignore Sanderson’s words
Paltrow testified in court that Sanderson approached her from behind and their skis intertwined
Audiences around the world watched the celebrity trial as if it were episodic television.
Viewers examined Paltrow and Sanderson’s motives, while attorneys directed questions at witnesses, who often had less to do with the collision and more to do with their client’s reputation.
The trial took place in Park City, a resort town known for the annual Sundance Film Festival, where Paltrow performed early in her career for the premieres of her films, including 1998’s “Sliding Doors,” at a time when she was primarily known as was an actor, not a lifestyle influencer.
Paltrow is also known for her roles in Shakespeare in Love and the Iron Man films.