Gwyneth Paltrow verdict – live: Juror speaks out for first time after Goop mogul wins ski crash trial
A juror in Gwyneth Paltrow’s ski collision trial has spoken out for the first time after the Goop mogul won the high-profile case.
Samantha Imrie told ABC’s Good Morning America that the panel was not influenced by Paltrow’s celebrity when they sided with the Hollywood star.
“The whole thing was a little shocking to me. We did have a unanimous decision. I think it’s important the public doesn’t just think this was a win because Gwyneth is a celebrity,” she said. “It’s based on the evidence and the law.”
On Thursday, jurors returned a verdict in favour of Paltrow, finding that Terry Sanderson, 76, was “100 per cent” at fault over a ski collision at the luxury Deer Valley Resort near Park City, Utah, on 26 February 2016.
Retired optometrist Mr Sanderosn, 76, had sued Paltrow claiming she crashed into him leaving him with a permanent traumatic brain injury. Paltrow claimed it was Mr Sanderson who crashed into her.
Siding with Paltrow, the star was awarded a symbolic $1 in damages.
Key points
Gwyneth Paltrow not at fault for ski collision, jury finds
Gwyneth Paltrow’s attorney shares statement
Gwyneth Paltrow’s daughter had never seen her so ‘shaken up’ after ski crash
Gwyneth Paltrow mocked over ‘half a day skiiing’ line
Inside Utah resort at centre of Gwyneth Paltrow ski crash trial, where rooms cost up to $4,000 a night
22:33 , Andrea Blanco
Deer Valley Resort has been named one of the most expensive ski resorts in the country.
The Independent’s Meredith Clark has more:
Inside Utah resort at centre of Gwyneth Paltrow ski crash trial
VOICES: The Gwyneth Paltrow verdict was justified – but there’s another issue at play here
21:45 , Andrea Blanco
“The verdict is in: after nine days – or more accurately seven years – of back and forth Gwyneth Paltrow has been found not at fault for a skiing collision in 2016,” The Independent’s Lucy Gray writes.
“The internet has done what it does best and devoured the trial like vultures at a carcass, dissecting and mocking every comment, gesture, and – of course with a woman at the center – outfit.”
Read more:
The Gwyneth Paltrow verdict was justified – but there’s another issue | Voices
Zach Braff says Gwyneth Paltrow trial was ‘simultaneously way too long and not long enough’
20:53 , Andrea Blanco
Zach Braff has shared his mixed feelings of sadness and joy at Gwyneth Paltrow’s trial coming to an end.
The Independent’s Isobel Lewis has more:
Zach Braff says Gwyneth Paltrow trial was both ‘way too long and not long enough’
WATCH: Key moments from Gwyneth Paltrow’s ski crash trial
19:35 , Andrea Blanco
Gwyneth Paltrow praised for ‘classy’ response to ski crash accuser after winning lawsuit
18:39 , Andrea Blanco
Gwyneth Paltrow has been praised for her “classy” and “gracious” response to her lawsuit accuser after she was found not responsible for their ski collision.
The Independent’s Chelsea Ritschel has more:
Gwyneth Paltrow praised for ‘classy’ response to ski crash accuser after lawsuit
WATCH: Gwyneth Paltrow's accuser gives first interview after losing ski trial court case
17:51 , Andrea Blanco
‘Based on evidence’: Gwyneth Paltrow juror says Goop mogul didn’t win because she’s a celebrity
17:24 , Andrea Blanco
“I think it’s important the public doesn’t just think this was a win because Gwyneth is a celebrity,” Samantha Imrie, 31, told ABC.
The Independent’s Gustaf Kilander has more:
Gwyneth Paltrow juror says Goop mogul didn’t win because she’s a celebrity
VOICES: How I uncovered the bombshell Gwyneth Paltrow group chat revelation
16:28 , Andrea Blanco
“All of a sudden, on TV, the defence began talking about how a person watching the trial had contacted their law office with ‘new evidence’. I realised they were talking about me,” Michael Fletcher writes for The Independent.
Read more:
How I uncovered the bombshell Gwyneth Paltrow group chat revelation
WATCH: Gwyneth Paltrow whispers final message to ski crash accuser after winning lawsuit
15:53 , Andrea Blanco
‘Based on evidence’: Gwyneth Paltrow juror says Goop mogul didn’t win because she’s a celebrity
15:30 , Rachel Sharp
A juror in the Gwyneth Paltrow ski crash trial has said that the jury didn’t side with the Goop mogul because she’s famous but that the decision was based on the “evidence”.
Samantha Imrie served as juror 11 during the trial, telling Good Morning America that the testimony of snow science expert Dr Irving Scher swayed the jury.
He argued that Ms Paltrow’s story of what happened on the slopes of the Deer Valley Resort in 2016 is “consistent with the laws of physics” while the version of events put forward by retired eye doctor Terry Sanderson, 76, didn’t add up.
The Independent’s Gustaf Kilander has the full story:
Gwyneth Paltrow juror says Goop mogul didn’t win because she’s a celebrity
Paltrow’s statement after trial win
15:15 , Rachel Sharp
After winning the ski crash case on Thursday, Gwyneth Paltrow’s attorney read out a statement from the Hollywood star.
“I felt that acquiescing to a false claim compromised my integrity,” she said in the 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.”
Gwyneth Paltrow claims ski case proves her ‘integrity’ as she vows to ‘stand up for what’s right’
15:00 , Andrea Blanco
Gwyneth Paltrow says that a jury’s decision that she was not at fault for a 2016 ski accident proved her “integrity” and she vowed to “continue to stand up for what’s right.”
The Independent’s Graeme Massie has more:
Victorious Gwyneth Paltrow says ski crash case proves her ‘integrity’
Juror breaks silence after Paltrow’s win
14:42 , Rachel Sharp
A juror in Gwyneth Paltrow’s ski collision trial has spoken out for the first time after the Goop mogul won the high-profile case.
Samantha Imrie told ABC’s Good Morning America that the panel was not influenced by Paltrow’s celebrity when they sided with the Hollywood star.
“The whole thing was a little shocking to me. We did have a unanimous decision. I think it’s important the public doesn’t just think this was a win because Gwyneth is a celebrity,” she said.
“It’s based on the evidence and the law.”
EXCLUSIVE: "I didn't feel she had a reason to lie under oath."
One of the jurors in the Gwyneth Paltrow ski trial case is speaking out for the first time after siding with the A-list actress Thursday.https://t.co/k6YA23U4h0— Good Morning America (@GMA) March 31, 2023
How an online sleuth uncovered a group chat and won case for Gwyneth Paltrow
14:00 , Andrea Blanco
The messages offered an insight into the reactions of skiers who were on the slopes on the day of the crash, writes Andrea Blanco
How an online sleuth uncovered a group chat and won case for Gwyneth Paltrow
Gwyneth Paltrow whispers final message to ski crash accuser after winning lawsuit
13:00 , Andrea Blanco
Gwyneth Paltrow has been seen leaning over and speaking to her defeated lawsuit opponent Terry Sanderson after a Utah jury ruled that she was not responsible for a ski crash between them.
Gwyneth Paltrow whispers final message to ski crash accuser after winning lawsuit
WATCH: Gwyneth Paltrow ski collision accuser compares her to Jeffrey Epstein
12:00 , Andrea Blanco
Viral memes, wine-tasting and ‘big girl pants’: Key moments from Gwyneth Paltrow’s ‘hit-and-run’ ski trial
11:00 , Andrea Blanco
The Oscar-winning actress won her ski collision trial — and plenty of moments went viral.
Key moments from Gwyneth Paltrow’s ‘hit-and-run’ ski trial
Watch: Paltrow lawyer says ski crash hurt her attempt to blend families with Brad Falchuck
10:00 , Peony Hirwani
Gwyneth Paltrow and Brad Falchuk: A timeline of their relationship after the actress’ trial win
09:00 , Andrea Blanco
The Goop CEO and her TV writer husband first met on the set of ‘Glee’ in 2010 and were married eight years later.
Gwyneth Paltrow and Brad Falchuk: A timeline of their relationship
Watch: Gwyneth Paltrow whispers final message to ski crash accuser after winning lawsuit
08:30 , Peony Hirwani
Gwyneth Paltrow accuser’s lawyer uses made-up equation to claim actor owes client $33 an hour – $3.2m in total – for ski crash injuries
08:00 , 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.
But despite his arguments, jurors found Terry Sanderson “100% at fault for the accident.”
Gwyneth Paltrow accuser’s lawyer uses made-up equation to claim damages
Prada boots and The Row coat: 6 times Gwyneth Paltrow nailed courtroom chic
07:00 , Andrea Blanco
The Goop founder has won her ski collision trial, but she drawn just as much attention over her ‘stealth luxury’ wardrobe.
6 times Gwyneth Paltrow nailed courtroom chic
Gwyneth Paltrow has been cleared of all fault in a US lawsuit over a 2016 skiing collision, brought by retired optometrist Terry Sanderson.
06:00 , Andrea Blanco
Following a high-profile two-week trial in Utah, jurors returned a verdict in favour of the Oscar-winning actress after just over two hours.
Mr Sanderson had sued Ms Paltrow over the collision at the Deer Valley ski resort in Utah over seven years ago, which left him with several broken ribs and severe head injuries.
She had denied the claim, and accused Mr Sanderson of crashing into her, resulting in her losing “half a day of skiing” with her family and being “sore”.
On Thursday jurors apportioned “100%” of the blame to Mr Sanderson for the crash, and found him to be responsible for the injuries Ms Paltrow had suffered.
They awarded the actress her “symbolic” counterclaim of one dollar in damages.
Ms Paltrow and Mr Sanderson, who both gave evidence during the trial, were present in court for the verdict.
The actress wore a blue blazer, with a white shirt and brown trousers, and did not appear to react as the verdict was returned, but let out a long breath.
As she exited the courtroom she touched Mr Sanderson on the shoulder and whispered something to him.
She previously said she felt “very sorry” for his health decline following the incident, but maintained she had not been “at fault” and said she had been the “victim”.
Mr Sanderson’s lawyers previously suggested the jury award him damages of more than three million dollars in the case.
AP
WATCH: Gwyneth Paltrow questioned over friendship with Taylor Swift in ski accident trial
05:00 , Andrea Blanco
Gwyneth Paltrow not at fault for ski collision, jury finds
04:00 , Andrea Blanco
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.
Gwyneth Paltrow not at fault for ski collision, jury finds
‘Character assassination’
03:49 , Io Dodds
Mr Sanderson has said he believes he lost the case because of “character assassination” by Paltrow’s attorneys, according to the US celebrity news programme Extra.
Asked as he left the courthosue what factors had determined the outcome, he said: “It should have been the facts of the acciden, because brought absolutely the truth to the accident. There was no reason to wander from that and it still won’t, and I brought it for that reason.
“I wanted to see if justice prevails in those situations, but it becomes character assassination… it becomes things that you thought were long gone in your life, things from thirty years ago, forty years ago, that should be meaningless.”
He added: “You get some assumed credibility from being a famous person… who wants to take on a celebrity? No wonder I hesitated. It’s difficult. Who wants to do that [versus] someone who learns lines, learns how to play someone else’s part and be believable, be credible, wins awards? Who wants to go on that path?”Pressed on whether he thinks Paltrow was lying, he said: “I believe she thinks she has the truth… but I absolutely know I said I would not bring any falsehoods.”
He said he was “very disappointed” by the verdict, but thought it was “very kind” of Paltrow to wish him well following the verdict.
Sanderson jokes he’ll go to Disneyland next
03:35 , Io Dodds
Speaking to gathered reporters after the trial, Mr Sanderson said he wasn’t sure the lawsuit was worth it and argued that people naturally tend to believe celebrities such as Paltrow.
“You get some assumed credibility from being a famous person,” he said, according to the AP. “Really, who wants to take on a celebrity?”
Mail Online described Mr Sanderson as “deflated” but standing by his version of events. Asked what he plans to do next, he reportedly joked: “Maybe Disneyland!”
Mr Sanderson’s extensive foreign travels before and after the ski crash were a key issue in the lawsuit, in which Paltrow’s attorneys attempted to show that his injuries were not as life-altering as he had claimed.
‘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
#BREAKINGNEWS: A jury has reached a verdict in the #GwynethPaltrow ski crash trial. Terry Sanderson filed a suit claiming the actress was skiing out of control in Utah back in 2016, slammed into him, and caused severe, life-changing injuries.
WATCH LIVE:https://t.co/QjjgrD9EGl pic.twitter.com/3Rzb6v3QWY— Law & Crime (@lawcrimenews) March 30, 2023
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.