Gwyneth Paltrow verdict – live: Goop mogul wins $1 damages as she whispers final message to ski crash accuser

Jurors in Gwyneth Paltrow’s bombshell trial found she was not at fault for a 2016 ski collision.

The case dragged on for years after retired optometrist Terry Sanderson, 76, raised the allegations against Ms Paltrow in a 2019 lawsuit. Mr Sanderson claimed the Hollywood star crashed into him on the slopes at the luxury Deer Valley Resort near Park City, Utah, back on 26 February 2016.

On Thursday, jurors returned a verdict in favour of Ms Paltrow after just over two hours of deliberation, effectively awarding Ms Paltrow a symbolic $1. They found that Mr Sanderson, who was seeking $300,000 in damages, was 100% at fault for the ski accident.

Mr Sanderson had alleged in court that the collision left him with a permanent traumatic brain injury that robbed him of “his enjoyment for life.”

During closing arguments on Thursday, 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, 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.

Key points

• Terry Sanderson apologises for ‘King Kong’ comment

• Shocking moment Paltrow accuser likens star to Jeffrey Epstein

• Gwyneth Paltrow mocked over ‘half a day skiiing’ line

• Gwyneth Paltrow’s daughter had never seen her so ‘shaken up’ after ski crash

• Sleuth uncovers group chat in ski crash case

‘I wish you well'

03:19 , Io Dodds

What did Gwyneth Paltrow say to Terry Sanderson on her way out of the coutroom?

Photographs from the court showed the star leaning in close to her erstwhile opponent and speaking some last message to him, exciting speculation about what she said.

According to the Associated Press, Mr Sanderson told reporters that she had touched him on the shoulder and whispered “I wish you well”. He said he responded: “Thank you, dear.”

You can read my full story about the moment here.

Why male Latino actor John Leguizamo wants to play Gwyneth Paltrow in ski accident trial movie

03:00 , Andrea Blanco

John Leguizamo joked if “white people can take Latino roles” then he wants to play Gwyneth Paltrow in the ski accident trial movie.

Speaking of Latino underrepresentation in Hollywood, the 62-year-old actor said it’s not right to cast non-Latino actors in Latino roles.

Why John Leguizamo wants to play Gwyneth Paltrow in ski accident trial movie

Gwyneth Paltrow’s bizarre ‘we lost half a day skiing’ quote goes viral

02:00 , Andrea Blanco

Actor Busy Philipps joined in the roasting, posting a selfie with the now-infamous quote.

Gwyneth Paltrow’s bizarre ‘we lost half a day skiing’ quote goes viral

Gwyneth Paltrow’s attorney shares statement

01:00 , Andrea Blanco

“We’re pleased with the outcome and appreciate the judge and jury’s consideration. Gwyneth has a history of standing up for what’s right and this situation is no different. She will continue to stand up for what’s right,” the statement by Ms Paltrow read. “I felt that acquiescing to a false claim compromised my integrity,” it went on. “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.”

The lawyers reacting to Gwyneth Paltrow ski trial on TikTok were the real winners in today’s verdict

Friday 31 March 2023 00:31 , Andrea Blanco

Legal experts on TikTok have shared their professional takes and overall shocked reactions to the bizarre trial.

The Independent’s Meredith Clark writes:

Lawyers reacting to Gwyneth Paltrow ski trial were real winners in today’s verdict

Gwyneth Paltrow wins ski collision trial

Thursday 30 March 2023 23:50 , Andrea Blanco

The jury in the bombshell trial of Oscar-winning actress Gwyneth Paltrow has reached a verdict.

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 and the cost of her legal fees.

Gwyneth Paltrow prepares to hear verdict in ski crash trial

Thursday 30 March 2023 23:34 , Andrea Blanco

Jury in ski crash trial reaches verdict

Thursday 30 March 2023 23:28 , Andrea Blanco

Mr Sanderson’s attorneys accused Ms Paltrow of cover up

Thursday 30 March 2023 23:20 , Andrea Blanco

Mr Sykes said he had found the evidence of Paltrow’s ski instructor, Eric Christiansen, to be “unbelievable and inconsistent”, and believed there had been a “cover-up” by the Deer Valley resort over what had happened.

He added: “That day that Terry left his house to go skiing ... he anticipated, like many other days in his life, a fun day of skiing, and he never returned home that night as the same Terry. He never came home, figuratively speaking.

“Terry has tried to get off that mountain, but he’s really still there. Part of Terry will forever be [there].”

Mr Sykes continued: “He’s spent hours and hours trying to get better. If you’ve heard anything about him, he’s almost extreme in trying to get better. We hope you will help bring Terry home off that mountain with a fair verdict today.”

Gwyneth Paltrow ‘not a liar’ but she is wrong about ski crash, jurors told

Thursday 30 March 2023 22:48 , Andrea Blanco

Robert Sykes, representing Mr Sanderson, was the first to address the court, and told jurors that his client “never came home” from the mountain following the collision.

“Gwyneth Paltrow in this case is not a liar. Terry Sanderson is not a liar,” he said. “Gwyneth is a good person. She is a good mother and she loves her children and she is passionate about things.

“I think that she believes, and I believe Gwyneth Paltrow when she says, ‘Terry hit me in the back’ – it’s a sincere belief, but the problem is, a sincere belief doesn’t make it so.”

Mr Sykes continued: “So often people that are in these types of events have totally different viewpoints. We don’t hold anything against Gwyneth for her viewpoint – it’s sincerely expressed – but she’s wrong based on the evidence. And Terry is correct.”

The court was told that fellow skier Craig Ramon, who gave evidence that Paltrow had collided with Mr Sanderson, was the only person who had witnessed the collision and had “no dog in the fight”.

“There is an eyewitness, Craig Ramon ... he saw the whole thing, he saw the impact, and he is the only one that saw it,” Mr Sykes said. “He’s not close to Terry, they went for garlic burgers twice ... he has no dog in the fight. He has no reason, no motive to falsify this.”

Jury continues deliberations

Thursday 30 March 2023 22:31 , Andrea Blanco

Jurors began deliberations nearly two hours ago.

WATCH: OJ Simpson weighs in on Gwyneth Paltrow ski collision trial

Thursday 30 March 2023 22:13 , Andrea Blanco

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

Thursday 30 March 2023 21:52 , Andrea Blanco

During the closing arguments in the civil trial between actor and Goop mogul Gwyneth Paltrow and retired eye doctor Terry Sanderson, Ms Paltrow’s lawyer argued that the crash damaged her attempt to blend her family with that of her husband Brad Falchuk.

The Independent’s Gustaf Kilander has more:

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

WATCH: As trial nears end, these are some of the key moments from Gwyneth Paltrow’s ski crash case

Thursday 30 March 2023 21:30 , Andrea Blanco

CourTV files motion to change decorum order

Thursday 30 March 2023 20:58 , Andrea Blanco

An attorney representing CourtTV, DailyMail, NBC and the Associated Press asked Judge Holmberg that a videographer is allowed to point their camera to the defence table when the verdict is delivered.

“The CourtTV camera is very unintrusive, I don’t see it, I don’t hear it,” Judge Holmberg said. “It can pan and move and all sorts of things ...”

“This will be the end of the case, so the concern about the interruption of the proceedings is different. But it’s still there ...”

Jury begins deliberations

Thursday 30 March 2023 20:48 , Andrea Blanco

Mr Sanderson’s attorney challenge Eric Christiansen’s version of events

Thursday 30 March 2023 20:43 , Andrea Blanco

“Think about this when believability of testimony,” an attorney for Mr Sanderson said. “Eric Christiansen has enough time and is all aware of the students he’s being paid to watch.”

Attorneys say Mr Sanderson’s life ‘is not the mess he perceives it to be'

Thursday 30 March 2023 20:32 , Andrea Blanco

Defence attorney James Eagan argued that Mr Sanderson is not the self-imposed recluse he portrayed himself to be.

“Mr Sanderson is better than he realises he is,” Mr Eagan said, noting that the retired optometrist has travelled to more than ten countries in the aftermath of the ski crash.

Mr Eagan went on to say: “Mr Sanderson is asking to be compensated for a ski crash that he, himself caused. And the evidence also shows that his life is not the mess that he perceives it to be.”

“Ms Paltrow wants him off the mountain too, but she should not be responsible for the cost of that.”

Defence: ‘We want our dollar'

Thursday 30 March 2023 20:18 , Andrea Blanco

“Let me go back to Lady Justice,” Mr Owens said. “We talked about the blindfold, and we talked about the scale.”

He went on to say: “We want you to use the sword, now that sounds harsh because we are not beheading anywhere. The sword is to defend a meritless claim.”

“You don’t throw a $3m bombshell into the courtroom, call her King Kong and just walk away. You don’t reward that.”

“...and we want our dollar.”

‘Help bring Terry home’: Jurors hear closing arguments of

Thursday 30 March 2023 20:03 , Andrea Blanco

Defence rehashes animated reconstruction during closing arguments

Thursday 30 March 2023 20:01 , Andrea Blanco

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

Thursday 30 March 2023 19:46 , Andrea Blanco

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.

The Independent’s Gustaf Kilander has more:

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

Ms Paltrow’s attorneys says Mr Sanderson’s pre-existent conditions to blame for his health decline

Thursday 30 March 2023 19:42 , Andrea Blanco

“He’s 76,” Mr Owens told jurors. “My parents, I mean, I’m not being flippant but they were dead by then.”

“They certainly weren’t taking ten trips around the world.”

Ms Paltrow trying to make an impression on her children by choosing to bring lawsuit to trial, attorney says

Thursday 30 March 2023 19:39 , Andrea Blanco

“The easy thing for my client was to write a check and be done with it,” Mr Owens said. “But what does that teach her kids?”

Gwyneth Paltrow was ‘punching bag,’ jury hears

Thursday 30 March 2023 19:32 , Andrea Blanco

Mr Owens said that his client was a “punching bag” who was the true victim of the incident.

“He hurt her and then he asked $3m for the pleasure of it,” Mr Owens said.

Plaintiff’s attorneys tell jurors Mr Sanderson deserves $3.2m

Thursday 30 March 2023 19:19 , Andrea Blanco

Mr Buhler argued that for 16 hours every day, Mr Sanderson is forced to live with the consequences of the crash.

While there is no value to Mr Sanderson’s quality of life, Mr Bhuler argued, he randomly suggested that jurors considered granting him $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.

“There are lawyers and experts here ... some who are making $300, $500 an hour,” Mr Buhler said. “I’m going to suggest a number, you put in the number you think is fair for Terry. The full value of the harm and losses that he’s dealing with every day. I’m going to say $33.”

According to Mr Buhler’s equation, Mr Sanderson should be awarded $3.2m, the sum he initially filed for back in 2019 before Judge Holmberg lowered the amount to $300,000.

Attorney Lawrence Buhler argues Mr Sanderson’s injuries are ‘for life'

Thursday 30 March 2023 18:57 , Andrea Blanco

Mr Buhler told jurors that Mr Sanderson will have to deal with his “invisible brain injury” for the rest of his life.

“They last a lifetime. They last forever,” Mr Buhler said.

“When people get to know him, after a while they don’t want to deal with him anymore.”

Gwyneth Paltrow accused of ‘cover-up’ over ski crash

Thursday 30 March 2023 18:47 , Andrea Blanco

Gwyneth Paltrow accused of ‘cover-up’ over ski crash

Mr Sanderson’s attorneys ask jury to ‘bring Terry home with a fair verdict’

Thursday 30 March 2023 18:41 , Andrea Blanco

“That day Terry left his home and went skiing at Deer Valley,” Mr Sykes said. “He anticipated like many days of his life, a fun day of skiing. And he never returned home as the same Terry. He never came home, figuratively speaking.”

“Terry has tried to get off that mountain, but he’s still there. Part of Terry will forever be on the bandana run.”

Mr Sykes said that the amount Mr Sanderson was seeking in the lawsuit would not compensate for the effects of his injuries and the money he had spent on legal fees.

“Give me a break,” Mr Sykes said about claims that Mr Sanderson had brought up the lawsuit to exploit Ms Paltrow’s fame and wealth.

“We hope you can help bring Terry home with a fair verdict today.”

Mr Sykes accused Gwyneth Paltrow of ‘cover-up'

Thursday 30 March 2023 18:28 , Andrea Blanco

During closing arguments, Mr Sykes told jurors that he believed Ms Paltrow and her kids’ Deer Valley ski instructor Eric Christiansen had planned a cover-up.

Mr Sykes also attacked remarks made by Ms Paltrow that she believed for a split second the crash was a sexual assault.

‘Terry Sanderson is not a liar'

Thursday 30 March 2023 18:17 , Andrea Blanco

Mr Sanderson’s attorney Robert Sykes began closing arguments by saying that Ms Paltrow is a “good mother” and a “good person.”

Mr Sykes said ski accidents are often “confusing” and emphasized that neither party was necessarily lying.

“I believe Gwyneth Paltrow when she says she believes Terry hit her in her back,” Mr Sykes told jurors.

“The issue is, a sincere belief doesn’t make it a [reality.]”

Instead, Mr Sykes instructed jurors to focus on testimony by Craig Ramon — the only eyewitness of the collision — who said last week he saw Ms Paltrow ramming into Mr Sanderson.

As Gwyneth Paltrow ski court case nears end, what are your legal rights on the slopes?

Thursday 30 March 2023 18:05 , Andrea Blanco

From right of way to boozing at altitude, here’s what you need to know.

As Gwyneth Paltrow ski case heats up, what are your legal rights on the slopes?

Court takes recess

Thursday 30 March 2023 17:37 , Andrea Blanco

Attorneys will present closing arguments when the jury reconvenes.

Judge reads instructions to jurors ahead of closing arguments

Thursday 30 March 2023 17:10 , Andrea Blanco

Earlier today, Judge Holmberg and attorneys for both parties spent nearly an hour modifying the wording in the jury instructions and closing arguments.

The jury will decide whether Terry Sanderson or Gwyneth Paltrow - or both - were negligent.

Dr Boehme doubles down on earlier remarks

Thursday 30 March 2023 17:04 , Andrea Blanco

Earlier this week, an expert for the defence refuted Dr Boehme’s testimony that the only way Mr Sanderson could have broken four ribs was by sustaining a hit from his back - meaning that Ms Paltrow would be at fault.

The defence tried to poke holes in Dr Boehme’s theory, while Dr Boehme’s doubled down on his earlier remarks.

After a back and forth during rebuttal, Dr Boehme was excused.

Plaintiff’s witness experiences technical issues in zoom testimony

Thursday 30 March 2023 16:42 , Andrea Blanco

Due to technical difficulties with the video, Dr Boehme will testify over the phone.

Dr Boehme testifies over zoom

Thursday 30 March 2023 16:34 , Andrea Blanco

Neurology expert to take the stand

Thursday 30 March 2023 16:19 , Andrea Blanco

Dr Richard Boehme is expected to offer rebuttal testimony before closing arguments.

WATCH LIVE HERE: Jury to hear closing arguments in Gwyneth Paltrow's ski crash trial

Thursday 30 March 2023 15:42 , Andrea Blanco

WaATCH: OJ Simpson weighs in on Gwyneth Paltrow ski collision trial

Thursday 30 March 2023 15:34 , Andrea Blanco

Why male Latino actor John Leguizamo wants to play Gwyneth Paltrow in ski accident trial movie

Thursday 30 March 2023 14:40 , Andrea Blanco

John Leguizamo joked if “white people can take Latino roles” then he wants to play Gwyneth Paltrow in the ski accident trial movie.

Speaking of Latino underrepresentation in Hollywood, the 62-year-old actor said it’s not right to cast non-Latino actors in Latino roles.

On Monday’s (27 March) episode of The Daily Show, Leguizamo spoke about American actors such as James Franco being cast as Fidel Castro in Alina of Cuba.

Read more:

Why John Leguizamo wants to play Gwyneth Paltrow in ski accident trial movie

Gwyneth Paltrow ski collision victim ‘had brain damage before 2016 crash’, trial hears

Thursday 30 March 2023 14:00 , Andrea Blanco

Testifying for the defence on Wednesday, neuroradiologist Dr Carl Black said that after reviewing Mr Sanderson’s 2009 MRI, he concluded that his brain injuries – including microvascular disease and hydrocephalus – were present before the 2016 ski crash.

“Those findings pre-date the accident and go back to 2009,” Dr Black, who reviewed Mr Sanderson’s scans before and after the ski collision, told jurors.

Read more:

Gwyneth Paltrow ski collision victim ‘had brain damage before 2016 crash’: Experts

WATCH: Moment where ski crash accuser likens Paltrow to Epstein

Thursday 30 March 2023 13:30 , Rachel Sharp

WATCH: Gwyneth Paltrow’s accuser says he heard ‘blood-curdling scream’ before alleged hit

Thursday 30 March 2023 13:00 , Andrea Blanco

Shocking moment Paltrow accuser likens star to Epstein

Thursday 30 March 2023 12:30 , Rachel Sharp

Terry Sanderson shocked the courtroom on Wednesday when he made a wild comparison between the ski crash with Gwyneth Paltrow and Jeffrey Epstein’s reign of abuse.

Mr Sanderson, 76, said on the witness stand that Paltrow needed to be held “accountable” for the crash.

“This is obviously an issue that someone needs to be accountable for, and if they’re never accountable, what are they gonna do? They’re gonna do it again,” he testified.

“Now we have the... molesting of young children on an island,” he said.

Paltrow’s attorney Stephen Owens interjected calling his comments “ridiculous testimony” and the judge told the jury to disregard what he had said.

What the newly uncovered group chat in the Gwyneth Paltrow ski collision trial reveals

Thursday 30 March 2023 12:00 , Andrea Blanco

While some of their remarks in the Meetup group chat match the accounts jurors have heard in the seven days of trial so far, others contradict to a certain degree what Terry Sanderson and Craig Ramon have testified.

Read more:

What the newly uncovered group chat in Gwyneth Paltrow’s ski collision trial reveals

Terry Sanderson apologises for ‘King Kong’ comment

Thursday 30 March 2023 11:30 , Rachel Sharp

The man suing Gwyneth Paltrow over a 2016 ski collision apologised to the star in court over a comment likening her to “King Kong” – before going on to make a wild comparison to late paedophile Jeffrey Epstein.

Retired optometrist Terry Sanderson, 76, has accused Paltrow of crashing into him on the slopes at the luxury Deer Valley Resort near Park City, Utah, back on 26 February 2016, leaving him with permanent traumatic brain injury.

Paltrow claims that it was Mr Sanderson who crashed into her.

In court on Wednesday, Mr Sanderson apologised directly to the Goop mogul for comments in a 2019 press conference where he described her screaming like “King Kong in the jungle”. He clarified that he meant she sounded like a woman being chased by King Kong.

Six times Gwyneth Paltrow nailed courtroom chic

Thursday 30 March 2023 11:00 , Andrea Blanco

Social media has been captivated by Gwyneth Paltrow’s ski collision trial, as she takes to the stand this week to testify in the civil case brought by Terry Sanderson.

In true Paltrow style, the trial has been full of wild and meme-able moments. From the Goop founder’s friendship with Taylor Swift to her saying she “lost half a day of skiing” because of the crash, it’s little surprise that social media is obsessed.

But there’s another element of the trial that is being paid close attention: Paltrow’s wardrobe.

The Independent’s Kate Ng has more:

6 times Gwyneth Paltrow nailed courtroom chic

Inside Utah resort at centre of Gwyneth Paltrow ski crash trial, where rooms cost up to $4,000 a night

Friday 31 March 2023 00:47 , Andrea Blanco

All eyes have been focused on the luxury Utah ski resort at the scene of the alleged collision.

The Independent’s Meredith Clark reports:

Inside Utah resort at centre of Gwyneth Paltrow ski crash trial

As Gwyneth Paltrow ski court case nears end, what are your legal rights on the slopes?

Thursday 30 March 2023 10:00 , Andrea Blanco

From right of way to boozing at altitude, here’s what you need to know.

As Gwyneth Paltrow ski case heats up, what are your legal rights on the slopes?

OJ Simpson weighs in on Gwyneth Paltrow ski collision trial

Thursday 30 March 2023 09:00 , Andrea Blanco

“But accidents happen in skiing, I don’t know how you could try to sue anybody for crashes on a ski slope. You see it all the time,” Simpson says.

OJ Simpson weighs in on Gwyneth Paltrow ski collision trial

WATCH: Gwyneth Paltrow confronted by ski collision victim’s attorneys for ‘lack of common decency’

Thursday 30 March 2023 08:00 , Andrea Blanco

Gwyneth Paltrow’s daughter had never seen her so ‘shaken up’ after ski crash

Thursday 30 March 2023 07:00 , Andrea Blanco

Gwyneth Paltrow’s daughter had never seen her mother “shaken up like that”, and was “concerned” following her ski crash, a US court has heard.

Apple Martin, who was around 11 or 12 at the time of the incident, said her mother had been “frantic” and “in a state of shock” following the collision in 2016.

The Oscar-winning actress has claimed that retired optometrist Terry Sanderson collided with her at the Deer Valley resort in Utah, which resulted in her losing “half a day of skiing” with her family.

Mr Sanderson has accused the actress of crashing into him, and says he sustained several broken ribs and severe head injuries.

On Tuesday the court heard parts of statements given by Ms Paltrow’s children, Apple and Moses Martin, who had been skiing with her on the day of the collision.

In her statement, read out by the legal teams, Apple said she had heard a “commotion” on the slope before skiing down for lunch, where her mother had been “visibly upset”.

Ms Paltrow had stopped skiing for the rest of the day and gone for a massage, the court heard.

“(My mother) told us what happened… She came in and I noticed she looked a bit shocked, and I asked what happened and she said ‘this a-hole ran into me, he ran right into my back’,” Apple said.

“She was in a state of shock and she decided after that she was not going to ski for the rest of the day which she never does, she always stays on, but she was in shock and a bit of pain.”

AP

Dropping Paltrow lawsuit would provide ‘cure’ for plaintiff, court told

Thursday 30 March 2023 06:00 , Andrea Blanco

Dropping the high-profile ski crash lawsuit against Gwyneth Paltrow would provide a “cure” for a man who claims he suffered significant health problems following the incident, a US court has heard.

The “national recognition” of the trial was likely to bring “a lot of anxiety” to Terry Sanderson and would slow his recovery, jurors were told.

Mr Sanderson, a retired optometrist, is suing the Oscar-winning actress over the collision in 2016, in which he suffered several broken ribs and a brain injury.

Ms Paltrow has denied the claims, alleging that Mr Sanderson crashed into her at the Deer Valley resort in Utah, and caused her to lose “half a day of skiing”.

On Wednesday, the court heard from several medical experts, who discussed Mr Sanderson’s declining health following the incident.

Neurologist Dr Robert Hoesch said the “mild event” that had occurred seven years prior was not “causing all the problems” that Mr Sanderson was now suffering from.

“My job is to help the patient and family gain acceptance that this mild event seven years ago isn’t causing all these problems that he’s having now,” he said.

Asked by Stephen Owens, representing Ms Paltrow, if the “cure” for Mr Sanderson was the end of the lawsuit, Dr Hoesch replied: “Correct.”

“Suing somebody, going through a trial, a trial that has national recognition, can bring on a lot of anxiety and if you’re prone to that, it’s going to make it worse and it’s going to slow your recovery,” he said.

Gwyneth Paltrow's ski collision trial spawns memes, intrigue

Thursday 30 March 2023 05:00 , Andrea Blanco

Gwyneth Paltrow’s live-streamed trial over her collision with Terry Sanderson, a 76-year-old retired optometrist, in Park City has emerged as the biggest celebrity court case since actors Johnny Depp and Amber Heard faced off last year, spawning memes, sparking debate about the burden of fame and making ski etiquette rules of who was uphill and who had the right of way relevant beyond those who can afford resort chairlift tickets.

For seven days, attorneys have both highlighted — and downplayed — Paltrow and Sanderson’s extravagant lifestyles.

Attorneys on both sides have tapped into the power of celebrity to make their cases that reputations and moral principles are at stake in the trial.

Sanderson’s side has tried to characterize Paltrow, the actor-turned-lifestyle influencer, as clumsy, out-of-touch, and evading accountability. They likened her decision to file a $1 countersuit against Sanderson to Taylor Swift, who filed a similar counterclaim in a lawsuit in 2017 — drawing attention to Paltrow’s testimony that she was “not good friends” with Swift but just “friendly.”

Though the trial has tested the jury’s endurance as its eight members have gradually sunk deeper into their chairs through hours of expert-witness testimony, it has titillated spectators worldwide, become late-night television fodder and fed the internet’s insatiable appetite for memes.

Viewers tuning into proceedings on CourtTV have seen Paltrow complain about losing a half-day of skiing after the crash. They’ve compared the spectacle to “The White Lotus” — an HBO series that satirizes the petty grievances of rich, white vacationers.

Photographs of Paltrow entering and exiting the courtroom — often shielding her face, perp-walk style, with a blue GP-initialed notebook — have gone viral on social media.

AP

WATCH: Gwyneth Paltrow says she 'lost half a day of skiing’

Thursday 30 March 2023 04:00 , Andrea Blanco

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

Thursday 30 March 2023 03:00 , Andrea Blanco

More than seven years after Gwyneth Paltrow was involved in a crash with a man at a ski resort in Park City, Utah, she is facing trial over the injuries he allegedly sustained during the ordeal.

Here are some of the key moments from the ski collision saga:

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

OJ Simpson weighs in on Gwyneth Paltrow’s trial

Thursday 30 March 2023 02:00 , Andrea Blanco

OJ Simpson has weighed in on Gwyneth Paltrow’s trial over her 2016 ski collision with a man who now alleges he was left with permanent brain damage.

The former football star posted a four-minute video on his Twitter account on Thursday morning after “hearing about [Ms Paltrow’s] case in the news.”

Recounting his own experience skiing at Deer Valley years ago, Simpson noted that accidents are part of skiing and that he couldn’t determine whose fault it was.

“I thought the [runs were] real narrow, certainly far narrower than most of the places that I went skiing,” he told his more than 880,000 followers. “But accidents happen skiing, I don’t know how you could try to sue anybody for crashes on a ski slope. You see it all the time.”

He added: “I crashed with the same woman twice on one run, and if you ask me, it was her fault and I’m sure if you asked her, it was my fault. I’m just saying, it’s part of skiing.”

Why male Latino actor John Leguizamo wants to play Gwyneth Paltrow in ski accident trial movie

Thursday 30 March 2023 01:00 , Andrea Blanco

John Leguizamo joked if “white people can take Latino roles” then he wants to play Gwyneth Paltrow in the ski accident trial movie.

Speaking of Latino underrepresentation in Hollywood, the 62-year-old actor said it’s not right to cast non-Latino actors in Latino roles.

On Monday’s (27 March) episode of The Daily Show, Leguizamo spoke about American actors such as James Franco being cast as Fidel Castro in Alina of Cuba.

Read more:

Why John Leguizamo wants to play Gwyneth Paltrow in ski accident trial movie

Jury is out for today

Thursday 30 March 2023 00:22 , Io Dodds

Today’s proceedings are done. We’ll be back tomorrow for what seems likely to be the final day of the trial, and we’ll have plenty more news and recaps overnight.

No further questions, your honour

Wednesday 29 March 2023 23:58 , Io Dodds

Mr Sanderson's testimony is now over, and it looks like the trial is about to follow.

With the judge imposing strict time restrictions on each team's testimony, Paltrow's lawyers said they had no further witnesses and were ready to rest their case.

There is apparently still some testimony to come from the plaintiffs tomorrow, and some discussions still to have about specific exhibits.

Lawyers turn microscope on Sanderson’s memory of crash

Wednesday 29 March 2023 23:53 , Io Dodds

We’ve just had a protracted back and forth between the opposing teams about Mr Sanderson's recollection of the crash itself.

Under questioning from his own lawyer, Mr Sanderson said he had been gliding slowly down the hill before the silence was broken by a scream, and that there was no one in front of him.

He said he had called the incident a "hit and run" because "there was no one there when [he] woke up – no one except an angry man".

Asked if he had been sking cautiously, he said: "I've had a long time to think about whether I want to be dangerous or cautious, and I choose cautious, yes. I don't take chances."

Mr Owens questioned him in detail about how he was sure there was nobody ahead of him, whether he had been concerned to avoid hitting a person on his left, and whether he was blind in one eye.

Mr Owens also attempted to poke holes in Mr Sanderson's testimony about his own physical characteristics, questioning him on statements he had made about his height and weight.

'I struggled during those trips'

Wednesday 29 March 2023 23:47 , Io Dodds

Now Mr Sanderson's own lawyer Kristin VanOrman is questioning him again, seeking to reframe his post-crash travels as the efforts of an injured man to rebuild his life.

"Have you always travelled in your life?" she asked. Mr Sanderson said he did, at least since retirement. "Have you every told this jury, or tried to insinuate in this trial, that you couldn't travel?" Absolutely not.

Asked why he kept travelling after the crash, Mr Sanderson said he was told by neurologists and a cognitive therapists that getting back to his routine as soon as possible would help him heal.

"Looking back on that time, I was determined to prove I didn't have any mental issues," he said. "Everything I did was to stamp that in my record, that this guy is trying hard."

But, he went on, "I just found that it was like flipping a switch. It's like, I look back and it was the bright side, and now I'm in the dark side. And my volunteering stopped, so a lot of my self esteem stopped."

He said he was "chewed out" by someone he knew for 15 years because he could no longer do his volunteering job.

Despite the smiling social media photos, he said he "struggled" during many of those trips. "I couldn't go by myself anymore, and I found that out the hard way when [my girlfriend] Robin decided that she didn't like me anymore after five years."

Sanderson confronted about travelling the world after ski crash

Wednesday 29 March 2023 23:29 , Io Dodds

Steven Owens is now bombarding Mr Sanderson with questions about his extensive travel adventures in the years following the ski crash.

Since 2016, according to exhibits shown on screen, Mr Sanderson has been to the Netherlands three times, to Morocco twice, to Thailand, Peru, Costa Rica, Germany, Switerland, France, Italy, Belgium, and the US states of Washington, Oregon, Idaho, and Montana.

"Did you go to Peru?" asked Owens in rapid succession. "Walk the Golden trail? [...] Did you do a zipline? [...] Did you go to Europe? [...] Did you go to the Netherlands three times? [...] Rode bikes? Did bus tours?"

Mr Sanderson looked uncomfortable as he answered positively to each question.

The court sees Facebook posts and photographs showing Mr Sanderson on on hikes with his girlfriend, at an escape room, travelling through scenic European towns, visiting the Frankfurt International Auto Show, doing Zumba, mini-golf, and more, all after his accident.

"Looks like you have one of those cool backpacks with water [in it], is that true?" asks the lawyer. "Yes, true," says Mr Sanderson.

At times he disputed specific things, such as a picture appearing to show that he had been kayaking (he said he was merely trying on a helmet). At others, he did not answer yes directly but offered details suggesting that his role had not been as active as his photos or social media posts implied.

Terry Sanderson confronted by Ms Paltrow’s attorneys

Wednesday 29 March 2023 23:13 , Andrea Blanco

At a press conference in 2019, he said that moments before the collision, he “heard this just hysterical screaming like … King Kong in the jungle or something”.

When asked about his remarks on Thursday, Mr Sanderson said that he did not mean to compare Ms Paltrow to King Kong.

Ms Paltrow’s attorneys complaint about alleged violations of decorum orders

Wednesday 29 March 2023 23:09 , Andrea Blanco

Steven Owens told Judge Kent Holmberg that a CourtTV videographer had their camera pointing directly at Ms Paltrow.

Judge Holmberg ordered the journalist to redirect the camera to whoever is using the lectern.

Dr Askenazi says Mr Sanderson only sustained a mild traumatic brain injury after ski crash

Wednesday 29 March 2023 22:55 , Andrea Blanco

Neuropsychology and neuroforensics expert Dr Galit Askenazi testifies for the defence

Wednesday 29 March 2023 22:23 , Andrea Blanco

Dr Askenazi says that after going through Mr Sanderson’s medical records, she realised he had stopped taking Wellbutrin, an antidepressant that had been prescribed to him, right after the 2016 ski collision.

“I found it significant becuse the records beforehand show that he had always had a rebound when taken off his medication

“So some of his reported mood changes in the weeks that followed could have been attributed to not being appropriately treated”

Expert says Mr Sanderson not malingering, but might be unconsciously exaggerating his symptoms because of anxiety

Wednesday 29 March 2023 21:32 , Andrea Blanco

“Are you suggesting that Terry is faking these symptoms?” Mr Buhler asked.

“No, there is no evidence that he’s faking the symptoms. He’s genuinely distressed,” Dr Eastvold replied.

Dr Eastvold testified that Mr Sanderson believed the symptoms to be real, also known as a process by the name of “somatization.”

Mr Sanderson scored high for narcissism

Wednesday 29 March 2023 21:22 , Andrea Blanco

Dr Eastvold says Mr Sanderson’s record show he experienced chronic anxiety and depression since the 90s.

She testified that records from a previous evaluation also found he scored high on narcissism.

“He’s someone that likes attention and needs approval,” Dr Eastvold told the jury.

Expert says Mr Sanderson’s concussion would not explain worsening symptoms

Wednesday 29 March 2023 20:53 , Andrea Blanco

Dr Eastveld says Mr Sanderson’s symptoms are inconsistent with the known trajectory of concussion-related symptoms.

“The thing with brain injury is that symptoms are worse in the begging and then they gradually improve,” Dr Eastveld said. “Brain injury does not progressively worsen.”

The expert said that Mr Sanderson had reported his symptoms had become worse in the last years.

Trial resumes

Wednesday 29 March 2023 20:39 , Andrea Blanco

Dr Eastvold takes the stand again.

Apple and Moses Martin’s depositions read in court on Tuesday

Wednesday 29 March 2023 20:20 , Andrea Blanco

The court heard excerpts from depositions given by Paltrow’s children, Moses and Apple, which were read into court by her legal team.

Moses, who was nine at the time of the incident in 2016, said he didn’t really see the collision involving his mother and Sanderson. However, he testified that he did see her on the ground alongside a man, who Moses said was slightly uphill from her, about a foot or more away from her.

He said his mother was yelling at the man “what the f-word, you just ran into me!”

Apple said she was 11 or 12 at the time of the incident.

She said she heard “some commotion” but was further down the slope and decided to keep skiing down towards the lodge.

Apple said she heard screaming after the accident but was too far away for it to be clear who it was or what they were saying.

She said her mother told them later what had happened. “I noticed she looked a bit shocked and I asked her what happened, she said ‘this A-hole ran into my back’.” She said her mother then made a motion to illustrate someone skiing into her back.

Apple said at lunch her mother seemed shocked, and added that it was out of character for her not to ski in the afternoon. “I never see her, like, really shaken up like that. ... She was in a little bit of pain and that’s why she went to the spa to get a massage.”

At dinner time Apple asked her mother how she was and Paltrow replied that she was still in pain. She said her mother was “frantic” in her description of the incident.

Earlier the court was told that Brad Falchuk, Paltrow’s husband, did not witness the incident. He may still be called to testify, depending on timing.

Skier suing Gwyneth Paltrow is confronted over ‘I’m famous’ email as he insists ‘I’m not into celeb worship’

Wednesday 29 March 2023 19:50 , Andrea Blanco

When the retired optometrist took the witness stand on Monday, he was questioned about his comments telling his daughter he was ‘famous’ after the crash.

Man suing Gwyneth Paltrow over ski crash is confronted over ‘I’m famous’ email

WATCH: Gwyneth Paltrow says she 'lost half a day of skiing’

Wednesday 29 March 2023 19:26 , Andrea Blanco

Court takes lunch recess

Wednesday 29 March 2023 19:01 , Andrea Blanco

Jury will reconvene at 3.25pm ET.

Dr Eastvold says report with Mr Sanderson’s injury only reflects his 'subjectives complaints’

Wednesday 29 March 2023 19:00 , Andrea Blanco

When asked about her opinion on Mr Sanderson’s cognitive scale, which was introduced earlier in the trial by an expert testifying for the plaintiff, Dr Eastvold said she could not speak to its validity.

“This is a really nice quantification of the patient’s subjective complaint, it is not evidence of objective deficits,” Dr Eastvold told jurors. “It’s just a summary and quantification of what the patient is reporting.”

She said that the report contradicted “objective data,” and that she had never seen the scale being used in a clinical setting.

Neuropsychologist Dr Angela Eastvold takes the stand

Wednesday 29 March 2023 18:51 , Andrea Blanco

Dr Eastvold is testifying for the defence.

Defence argues Mr Sanderson had brain damage before the collision

Wednesday 29 March 2023 18:32 , Andrea Blanco

Testifying for the defence on Wednesday, expert neuroradiologist Dr Carl Black said that after reviewing Mr Sanderson’s 2009 scans, he concluded that his brain injuries were present before the 2016 ski crash. Neurologist Dr Robert Hoesch also told jurors that the symptoms Mr Sanderson is experiencing don’t stem from the crash.

“If he had a concussion, it was very mild,” Dr Hoesch testified.

Dr Black says he did not need to evaluate Mr Sanderson to give expert opinion

Wednesday 29 March 2023 17:57 , Andrea Blanco

“[There] ‘is no evidence of post-traumatic brain injury,” Dr Black said. ‘Those findings pre-date the accident and go back to 2009.’

Court takes short recess

Wednesday 29 March 2023 17:03 , Andrea Blanco

Dr Black has been excused.

Jury will reconvene shortly.

Mr Sanderson’s attorneys attempt to poke holes in defence expert’s testimony

Wednesday 29 March 2023 16:55 , Andrea Blanco

Mr Buhler, an attorney for Mr Sanderson, asked whether Dr Black used the term “blind” loosely, arguing that it was possible Mr Sanderson still could see to some degree with his right eye.

Dr Black agreed that he had no expertise in evaluating Mr Sanderson’s eyesight.