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Gwyneth Paltrow found not at fault in Summit County ski accident trial

Published March 22, 2023 at 8:11 AM MDT
Gwyneth Paltrow testifies during her trial on March 24, 2023, in Park City, Utah. Paltrow's live-streamed trial over a 2016 collision at a posh Utah ski resort has drawn worldwide attention, spawning memes and sparking debate about the burden and power of celebrity. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer, Pool, File)

GWYNNOCENT!

Posted March 30, 2023 at 4:44 PM MDT

The verdict is in: GWYNNOCENT!
The jury has found in favor of Gwyneth Paltrow in the trial to determine if she or Terry Sanderson was responsible for a 2016 ski accident at Deer Valley.

Paltrow will receive $1 in damages; she countersued for the symbolic amount after Sanderson accused her of running into him.

Click here for the latest update.

Verdict is in

Posted March 30, 2023 at 4:35 PM MDT

The verdict is in. The court will resume and the verdict will be read soon.

Case now goes to Jury, court is in recess

Posted March 30, 2023 at 2:04 PM MDT

The case is now with the jury to determine a verdict. Court is in recess.

Day 8 of trial: closing arguments expected

Posted March 30, 2023 at 7:55 AM MDT

A few more witnesses are expected Thursday before closing arguments. The judge said he hopes to get the case to the jury by the afternoon.
Court resumes at 9 a.m.

Next witness: Dr. Galit Askenazi

Posted March 29, 2023 at 2:52 PM MDT

Dr. Galit Askenazi testifies about Sanderson's health records and the injuries he may or may not have sustained in the 2016 ski accident.

Court back in session, neuropsychologist on the stand

Posted March 29, 2023 at 1:50 PM MDT

Court is back in session after lunch. Terry Sanderson is expected to be recalled to the stand at some point. Right now neuropsychologist Angela Estvold is testifying.

Terry Sanderson is expected back on the stand

Posted March 29, 2023 at 12:24 PM MDT

Gwyneth Paltrow's defense team plans to recall Terry Sanderson to the stand.

Terry Sanderson, the Utah man suing Gwyneth Paltrow, testifies in court, Monday, March 27, 2023, in Park City, Utah.
Rick Bowmer
/
AP
Terry Sanderson, the Utah man suing Gwyneth Paltrow, testifies in court, Monday, March 27, 2023, in Park City, Utah.

Court in recess for lunch

Posted March 29, 2023 at 12:08 PM MDT

The court has taken a recess for lunch and will return around 1:30 p.m. MDT.

Gwyneth Paltrow back in court for the seventh day

Posted March 29, 2023 at 9:19 AM MDT

The trial for a 2016 ski collision in Deer Valley between an A-list celebrity and a retired Salt Lake City optometrist continues for the seventh day.

Next witness: Steven Edgley, brain injury expert

Posted March 28, 2023 at 1:54 PM MDT

The next witness to take the stand is brain injury expert Steven Edgley.

Court returns with ski expert testimony

Posted March 28, 2023 at 1:52 PM MDT

The court has returned from lunch and started with testimony from ski expert Paul Baugher.

Court in recess for lunch

Posted March 28, 2023 at 12:16 PM MDT

The court has taken a lunch recess and will resume around 1:30 p.m.

Court resumes for sixth day

Posted March 28, 2023 at 8:52 AM MDT

Court is back in session for the sixth day. Watch live above.

Court in recess, to resume Tuesday at 8:45 a.m.

Posted March 27, 2023 at 5:05 PM MDT

The court is in recess until Tuesday morning.
The judge said the jury has been asked to be ready at 8:45 a.m. instead of 9 a.m. MDT.

Deer Valley's Steve Graff is expected to start the day on the stand followed by a number of other witnesses including medical professionals and ski experts.
Paltrow's husband and children may also testify at some point in the coming days.

EMT/ski patrol excused, next witness Steve Graff called

Posted March 27, 2023 at 4:40 PM MDT

Ski patrol and EMT Whitney Smith has been excused for the day. Now witness Steve Graff, the then ski patrol manager, has been called to the stand.

Ski instructor excused, next witness called

Posted March 27, 2023 at 3:59 PM MDT

Deer Valley ski instructor Eric Christiansen has been excused for the day. Whitney Smith is the next witness called to the stand.

Court is taking a short recess

Posted March 27, 2023 at 3:47 PM MDT

Court is taking a short recess and will return momentarily.

Deer Valley ski instructor Eric Christiansen takes stand

Posted March 27, 2023 at 1:38 PM MDT

Deer Valley ski instructor Eric Christiansen is on the stand. He said he has been a ski instructor for more than 40 years.

Deer Valley ski instructor Eric Christiansen takes stand in Gwyneth Paltrow ski accident trial on March 27, 2023.
Court TV via pool feed
Deer Valley ski instructor Eric Christiansen takes stand in Gwyneth Paltrow ski accident trial on March 27, 2023.

Court back in session, Paltrow family may take stand

Posted March 27, 2023 at 1:31 PM MDT

Court is back in session after a lunch break. Paltrow's husband and children may take the stand this afternoon.

Court takes noon recess

Posted March 27, 2023 at 12:03 PM MDT

The court is in recess for lunch and will return at 1:30 p.m. MDT.

Terry Sanderson takes the stand

Posted March 27, 2023 at 10:01 AM MDT

Terry Sanderson, the retired optometrist who is suing Paltrow, takes the stand.

Retired Utah optometrist Terry Sanderson has accused Gwyneth Paltrow of crashing into him while skiing in 2016 and leaving him with brain damage and four broken ribs.
Court TV via pool feed
Retired Utah optometrist Terry Sanderson has accused Gwyneth Paltrow of crashing into him while skiing in 2016 and leaving him with brain damage and four broken ribs.

Witness Craig Ramon testifies

Posted March 27, 2023 at 9:42 AM MDT

Craig Ramon, a witness to the 2016 ski accident and Sanderson's acquaintance, is on the stand again. He is testifying about the new evidence being introduced today.

Jury enters courtroom

Posted March 27, 2023 at 9:36 AM MDT

The jury is now in the courtroom where the judge explained new evidence will be introduced today.

Paltrow, Sanderson have entered courtroom

Posted March 27, 2023 at 9:32 AM MDT

Gwyneth Paltrow and Terry Sanderson are now in the courtroom.

Court takes recess

Posted March 27, 2023 at 9:20 AM MDT

The court is taking a quick recess to wait for the jury to assemble.

Court is now in session

Posted March 27, 2023 at 8:54 AM MDT

Day five of the 2016 Deer Valley ski accident trial is now underway. The attorneys and judge are discussing how to clear up a few concerns. The jury will be brought in around 9:15 a.m. Some have not yet arrived due to the snow and road conditions.

Court resumes at 9 a.m. MDT

Posted March 27, 2023 at 8:37 AM MDT

Court will be back in session this morning, Monday, at 9 a.m. MDT. Watch live above.

Court recesses for the weekend, resumes 9 a.m. Monday

Posted March 24, 2023 at 5:13 PM MDT

Sanderson did not take the stand this week. He will go in the first hour of the day on Monday. Paltrow's family will attend and could offer testimony too.

Paltrow's testimony continues

Posted March 24, 2023 at 4:24 PM MDT

The actor fielded more questions from Sanderson's counsel.

Paltrow's own attorney then cross-examined her, asking if she caused any of the personality changes or physical decline experienced by Sanderson after the incident. She denies being at fault.

Court takes short break

Posted March 24, 2023 at 4:00 PM MDT

The courtroom is in recess after testimony from Paltrow about the crash. Sanderson's counsel tried to paint her as a clumsy person who would likely crash into somebody.

Gwenyth Paltrow takes the stand

Posted March 24, 2023 at 3:00 PM MDT

Sanderson's team is posing questions to the actress, first to gauge her skiing ability.

Paltrow's lawyer cross-examines Sanderson's second daughter

Posted March 24, 2023 at 2:02 PM MDT

Paltrow's team takes issue with the attempt to paint Sanderson's personality as wholly good before the accident and wholly bad afterward. Paltrow's lawyer seems to want to complicate that picture of Sanderson's personality before the accident.

Lunch break

Posted March 24, 2023 at 12:17 PM MDT

The court is recessed until 1:30 p.m.

Another Sanderson daughter testifies

Posted March 24, 2023 at 11:35 AM MDT

Shae Sanderson Herath is another character witness for the plaintiff, and she can speak to her dad's abilities before and after the ski accident.

She had emailed her dad after he let family know about his accident. Her message includes a reference to a possible GoPro video of the incident, but Shae said it was prompted by speculation that other skiers would have GoPros on, not by a GoPro Sanderson or Paltrow were wearing.

Sanderson's lawyers call Mark Herath, Sanderson's friend, to the stand

Posted March 24, 2023 at 10:45 AM MDT

Herath is Sanderson's son-in-law's brother and is testifying to Sanderson's character. Herath also corroborated his friend's account of the crash.

The court took a short beak after Herath was cross-examined.

Dr. Boehme cross-examined

Posted March 24, 2023 at 9:21 AM MDT

Paltrow's attorney has questioned Boehme about how much he charges for his analysis, as well as his specific credentials for doing so.

Court is back in session

Posted March 24, 2023 at 8:59 AM MDT

Judge Kent Holmberg went on the record at around 8:55 a.m. Sanderson's lawyers intend to call Paltrow to the stand today before Sanderson himself.

The jury was brought in at 9:02 a.m.

Testimony from Richard Boehme via a prerecorded video continues. The lawyers for the plaintiff, Sanderson, are reading from the depositions of the defendant's expert physician witnesses. Boehme, a neurologist, disagrees with their conclusions that Sanderson's injuries were less severe.

Court adjourned for the day, resumes 9 a.m. Friday

Posted March 23, 2023 at 5:18 PM MDT

Sanderson's attorney has said he hopes to rest his case Friday. If that happens, Paltrow's attorneys would begin Monday.

As this is the last day for Sanderson's counsel, both Sanderson and Paltrow could take the stand themselves.

Boehme believes Paltrow must have hit Sanderson

Posted March 23, 2023 at 4:37 PM MDT

Based on the rib fracture pattern—the fact that Sanderson's ribs were broken in front—the physician, who was brought forward by Sanderson's lawyers, testified that Paltrow must have hit Sanderson from behind and fallen on top of him.

The defense contends Sanderson hit Paltrow from behind, with his skis ending up between Paltrow's. Boehme claimed that would not generate enough force to fracture the ribs in the pattern x-rays show.

Court takes recess

Posted March 23, 2023 at 4:05 PM MDT

Judge Holmberg called a short break before the last session of the court for the day.

Sanderson's team calls neurologist Richard Boehme to testify

Posted March 23, 2023 at 3:49 PM MDT

Boehme testified via a prerecorded video feed, the same way Dr. Alicia Fong also testified earlier this morning.

He went over Sanderson's medical records with the plaintiff's attorneys. Sanderson did report injuries after the collision to physicians. That included rib pain, broken ribs, fogginess and mood change.

Cross-examination of Sanderson's daughter continues

Posted March 23, 2023 at 2:59 PM MDT

Questions from Paltrow's lawyer have focused on Terry Sanderson's extensive foreign and domestic travel in the years following the accident.

Afterward, Sanderson's lawyer got up and asked Grasham about her experience running mental health clinics. But before he could pivot to talking about her sister Jenny's mental health, Paltrow's lawyer objected it was foundation for an expert opinion she was not allowed to give.

Grasham was allowed to offer her opinion as a layperson about her sister, but not as a mental health expert.

She stepped down from the stand at around 3:30 p.m.

Court in recess

Posted March 23, 2023 at 2:38 PM MDT

Judge Kent Holmberg announced a short break.

Sanderson after the crash: "I'm famous"

Posted March 23, 2023 at 2:23 PM MDT

Cross-examination continues. Paltrow's lawyer is asking Polly Sanderson Grasham, Sanderson's daughter, about her father's electronic communications in the day following the crash. He had emailed members of the family, including Polly, about the crash.

Sanderson wrote, "I'm famous," Paltrow's lawyer noted. In Sanderson's deposition, he wrote that he found it "cool" to have collided with a celebrity.

Questions then moved toward Sanderson's state before the crash. He had a stroke in his right eye prior to 2016. Paltrow's lawyer gave particular attention to visibility on the day in question and Sanderson's eyesight. He also asked about the two times Sanderson contracted COVID-19, as well as his brush with prostate cancer and his use of hearing aids.

Sanderson's lawyer objected to a fine-grain summary of Sanderson's medical history but was overruled.

Paltrow's lawyer also presented new evidence, medical records showing Sanderson to have sought treatment for anger management issues pre-accident. He asked if Sanderson's other health problems before the accident narrowed his activity.

"I didn't see that," Grasham said.

Court breaks for lunch

Posted March 23, 2023 at 12:07 PM MDT

The court will be recessed until 1:15 p.m.

Paltrow's lawyer cross-examines Sanderson's daughter

Posted March 23, 2023 at 12:06 PM MDT

Paltrow's lawyer asked about the fight between Sanderson and his daughter Jenny that Polly witnessed. For Polly, it was a new experience, but Paltrow's lawyer said Jenny has reported Sanderson being belligerent or controlling for years before the ski accident.

Paltrow's lawyer attempted to distinguish between Polly and Jenny's accounts of their father before the accident.

Sanderson's daughter speaks about a decline in her father's cognitive functioning

Posted March 23, 2023 at 11:25 AM MDT

Grasham says her father took longer to process things directly following the crash. She said he gets more overwhelmed and frustrated lately.

"He can't see the forest for the trees," she said.

Grasham said that Sanderson struggles to get tasks done like he used to and requires more help. But he gets frustrated with how others do the work he used to be able to do. Sanderson has gotten lost driving to Sugarhouse Park with her, she said.

But, she says Sanderson has improved since the first couple years following the crash.

Still, Sanderson's personal relationships have suffered, according to Grasham. She described fights and other people who know Sanderson feeling less safe around him.

Sanderson's daughter takes the stand

Posted March 23, 2023 at 10:56 AM MDT

Polly Sanderson Grasham is currently testifying to her father's activity level before the ski accident. Sanderson's lawyer is seeking to establish that the accident has caused his client to decline in recent years.

Grasham called her father a "goer," active and outdoorsy. She described his skiing ability as between advanced and expert, but called him an "old man skier," fairly risk-averse.

Neuropsychologist testifies to Sanderson's current condition

Posted March 23, 2023 at 10:36 AM MDT

Dr. Alina Fong said that the retired optometrist suffered from postconcussive syndrome in the years following the accident.

During cross-examination, Paltrow's lawyer criticized Fong for relying on Sanderson's self-reporting rather than actual medical records from before the accident.

He contended Sanderson's long-haul symptoms could have stemmed from any number of causes beside the 2016 collision. Fong called that "improbable."

Third day of trial begins, Sanderson to take stand

Posted March 23, 2023 at 8:00 AM MDT

The lawsuit over a Deer Valley ski collision between an A-list celebrity and a 76-year-old Holladay, Utah, man, is back in court for the third day Thursday starting at 9 a.m. MDT.

The multi-year conflict between actress and businesswoman Gwyneth Paltrow and retired optometrist and veteran Terry Sanderson saw its first day of trial Tuesday. It's expected to last eight days.

Attorneys said Sanderson will likely take the stand late Thursday afternoon and finish his testimony Friday. He will come after the plaintiff's other witnesses.

Paltrow is expected to take the stand Friday.

Sanderson's attorney said hopes to rest his case Friday. If that happens, Paltrow's attorneys will begin Monday.

Day two ends, court to resume at 9 a.m. Thursday

Posted March 22, 2023 at 4:55 PM MDT

Court has ended for the day. The trial will begin again Thursday at 9 a.m. MDT.

Brief recess

Posted March 22, 2023 at 3:51 PM MDT

The court is taking a brief recess to bring in the jury and is working to finish with the current witness by 5 p.m. MDT.

Court is back in session after lunch

Posted March 22, 2023 at 1:18 PM MDT

Court is back in session after returning from lunch.

Court breaks for lunch

Posted March 22, 2023 at 12:04 PM MDT

The court is breaking for lunch and will resume at 1:30 p.m. MDT.

Trial continues with Sanderson's chest x-rays showing broken ribs

Posted March 22, 2023 at 11:18 AM MDT

The brief recess has ended. The trial continues with more testimony from radiology professor Dr. Wendell Gibby and Sanderson's chest x-rays showing broken ribs after the 2016 ski accident.

Terry Sanderson's chest x-ray showing broken ribs after 2016 ski accident.
Court TV via YouTube
Terry Sanderson's chest x-ray showing broken ribs after 2016 ski accident.

Court takes short recess

Posted March 22, 2023 at 11:02 AM MDT

The court is taking a short recess and will return soon.

Radiology professor testifies

Posted March 22, 2023 at 9:54 AM MDT

Radiology professor Dr. Wendell Gibby testifies about MRIs, behavior changes and other potential damages to Terry Sanderson's brain after the 2016 ski accident at Deer Valley.

Court TV via YouTube

Brief court recess

Posted March 22, 2023 at 9:33 AM MDT

The court is taking a "brief" recess and will return momentarily.

Watch live now

Posted March 22, 2023 at 9:06 AM MDT

Court is back in session for the second day of trial. Watch it live above.

Gwyneth Paltrow in Summit County court for second day of ski accident trial.
Court TV via YouTube
Gwyneth Paltrow in Summit County court for the second day of the 2016 ski accident trial.

Court resumes at 9 a.m. Wednesday

Posted March 22, 2023 at 8:17 AM MDT

Court will resume Wednesday at 9 a.m. MDT. Four to five witnesses are expected to take the stand today, possibly even Paltrow herself. However, attorneys discussed that she is most likely to take the stand later in the week.

Day One: Gwyneth Paltrow ski accident trial

Posted March 22, 2023 at 8:16 AM MDT
Gwyneth Paltrow and her attorney in a Summit County courtroom March 21, 2023, for the first day of trial in the 2016 ski accident lawsuit.
Court TV pool feed via YouTube
Gwyneth Paltrow and her attorney in a Summit County courtroom March 21, 2023, for the first day of trial in the 2016 ski accident lawsuit.

The trial is underway for a 2016 ski collision between an A-list celebrity and a retired Salt Lake City optometrist at Deer Valley.

The multi-year conflict between actress and businesswoman Gwyneth Paltrow and a 76-year old Holladay, Utah, man saw its first day of trial Tuesday. It's expected to last eight days.

Terry Sanderson alleges Paltrow crashed into him while skiing at Deer Valley in February 2016. He said he sustained a concussion, four broken ribs and was knocked unconscious because Paltrow hit him from behind at high speed.

The incident happened on Bandana, a beginner run down Flagstaff Mountain to Empire Canyon Lodge.

Paltrow filed her own complaint a month later, alleging Sanderson was uphill and crashed into her, although she sustained less severe injuries.

Each party wants the other to cover their legal costs. Additionally, Sanderson is seeking some amount of damages to be determined during the trial. Paltrow is seeking $1.

This trial is in Judge Kent Holmberg’s courtroom in 3rd District Court.