One of the most contentious issues, the subject of numerous court filings in recent days, is whether the county conducts what is called an independent medical examination, which includes a mental evaluation of each plaintiff.
Bryant’s lawyers argue the exams are “brutal” and that the county is sending a message requesting them. Bryant’s lawyers argued in a filing, “When public servants violate the privacy and constitutional rights of citizens they vowed to protect and serve, victims should seek justice.”
But the county argues that the exams are “a routine part of the search process,” according to the filing. Bryant and the other plaintiffs are arguing that the county employees’ actions caused them emotional distress, and the county believes that a medical professional should be allowed to investigate the extent of that suffering.
At times, Louis Miller, an attorney representing Los Angeles County, expressed regret for asking Bryant offensive questions. “It’s not harassment,” Miller said at one point. “It’s just a lawsuit. And I’m so sorry to put you through this, but like I said in the beginning, I have to do my job.”
“I shouldn’t have gone through this,” Bryant replied. “It’s not just a lawsuit.”
Bryant said that when she was told she could not go to the crash site, she met with Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka, who had served as Kobe’s agent during his NBA career. Pelinka, Bryant said, was taken to the sheriff’s station in Malibu near the crash site during the hour and forty-five minutes’ journey.
At the sheriff’s station, Bryant said that “no one will answer” questions about her husband and daughter. She was led back and forth between rooms, and after a long wait, she said, a pastor came in, and then Los Angeles County Sheriff Alex Villanueva accompanied a preacher. Bryant said she wanted privacy and asked the publicist to leave the room.
Villanueva confirmed the deaths, Bryant said, and asked if he could do anything for her.
“And I said: ‘If you can’t get my husband and baby back, please make sure no one takes pictures of them. Please secure the area,'” Bryant said during the statement. Said: ‘I will.’ And I said: ‘No, I want you to call now and I need to make sure you secure the area.'”