Los Angeles Fire Department officials reportedly knew that sharing graphic images of the crash that killed NBA star Kobe Bryant would get them in trouble as they were labeled “plutonium” and ordered to get rid of them.
Sky Cornell, a public information officer for the LA County Fire Department, told a jury Tuesday that first responders went into damage control after it became public that they shared photos of the helicopter crash involving 41-year-old Bryant and his daughter Gianna were killed. 13, in 2020.
Cornell, who admitted to investigators that he “wanted to see Kobe” when the pictures were shared, said an officer warned the department about what they were doing, TMZ reported.
“Just a reminder folks, there are no secrets! One way or another, people get exposed,” the email said, according to Cornell.
He added that colleague Tony Imbrenda, who admitted sharing the photos at an awards gala, called the images “plutonium” and that he “needed to get rid of them.”
Sky Cornell, a public information officer for the LA County Fire Department, said an officer sent an email warning them not to share images of the crash that killed Kobe Bryant
Imbrenda, another public information official, was grilled Wednesday when he testified that he shared images of the helicopter crash during the 2020 Golden Mike Awards ceremony, a journalism awards gala in Southern California.
Cornell claimed that was when he first came across the photos, none of which showed Bryant’s body but did show other human remains.
Cornell told the court Thursday that while the setting was not suitable for sharing the graphic images, he claimed they were used as a “training opportunity.”
Arlin Kahan, another fire official, also testified Thursday that he was the person who took the first photos of the crash and sent them to Imbrenda, who Kahan described as “the one who controls the photos.”
Kahan claimed his photos were intended to document the scene of the accident, not to take photos of human remains.
Widow Vanessa Bryant’s attorney dismissed the claim, suggesting that a firefighter took the photos of the crash for documentation purposes, not Kahan.
“You weren’t even a first responder,” the attorney said, according to the insider.
Kahan also claimed it was his intention to delete the photos after the investigation was complete.
It’s the latest in the lawsuit, after Vanessa filed a lawsuit against the LA County Fire Department and Sheriff’s Office for invasion of privacy after images of the crash were shared by officers.
Public information colleague Tony Imbrenda (pictured) admitted to sharing images of the crash at a 2020 awards show. He called the photos “plutonium”.
Earlier this week, LA Deputy Sheriff Michael Russell announced that he texted pictures of the wreckage to Santa Clarita Deputy Sheriff Ben Sanchez the day after the incident.
Russell said he was playing the popular shooting game Call of Duty with Sanchez when he told the deputy he had crime scene photos he said he received from fellow LA resident Joey Cruz, TMZ reported.
During his testimony, Russell also admitted to making mistakes when he originally told investigators that he shared the photos while working and that the images did not show any body remains.
“I made mistakes,” he told the court, adding that he received no disciplinary action for sharing the graphic photos.
Cruz also testified Tuesday, admitting that he showed photos of the crash to a bartender to “relieve the stress” he had been dealing with through the case.
On Monday, Brian Jordan, a retired LA County firefighter, claimed he was ordered by his superiors to take photos of the helicopter crash site — orders the fire chiefs deny ever having given.
Jordan denied sending the images to anyone outside of the sheriff or fire department, but at times appeared confused about what was happening.
Brian Jordan, a retired LA County firefighter, claimed he was instructed by his superiors to take photos of the fatal helicopter crash site (pictured).
Jordan denied sending the images to anyone outside of the sheriff or fire department
The former firefighter repeatedly told the court he didn’t “really remember being at the accident” and “don’t remember what was up there”.
Luis Li, Vanessa’s attorney, asked why the laptop he turned in was missing the hard drive, and Jordan replied he didn’t know what happened.
“I have no idea,” Jordan said, but added, “I haven’t tampered with any devices.”
When asked if he photographed Gianna Bryant’s remains, he said, “I don’t even know who that is,” according to Law and Crime.
He added: “I don’t know what I photographed. I’m here on false accusations so please refrain from blaming my brain on this crash.’
During his two-hour testimony, Jordan apologized three times from the witness stand, citing the emotional trauma.
Brian Jordan, a retired firefighter, is seen Monday in Los Angeles testifying about photos he took of the Calabasas crash site. We left the booth three times
Vanessa Bryant (right) filed a lawsuit over the alleged misconduct, in which both the fire department and the sheriff’s office are seeking unspecified damages
Jordan insisted that Anthony Marrone, the then deputy chief who has been acting chief since August 1 this year, told him to take the photos.
“He said, ‘Take pictures, take pictures, take pictures,'” Jordan said, describing a stairwell where he and Marrone were standing when the order was given.
Jordan added, “Maybe I should have been defiant that one time.” Marrone, in an August 2020 affidavit, denied ordering Jordan to take photos.
He said he had instructed everyone not to photograph accident victims “because such photographs would not be correct or appropriate.”
Vanessa Bryant is seeking unspecified damages from both the fire department and the sheriff’s office.
The process should take another week.