‘Mr. Sanderson categorically hit me on that ski slope’ — transcript of Gwyneth Paltrow testimony in Deer Valley, Utah, ski-collision trial
Posted: May 31, 2025
The following is a transcript of Gwyneth Paltrow’s trial testimony on March 24, 2023, in a lawsuit filed by Terry Sanderson over their skiing collision at Deer Valley, Utah, on Feb. 26, 2016. This transcript is not an official court transcript. It is compiled by a human being from the video feed presented by the court. In some instances, because of distance from the microphones and the amount of people speaking, comments were unintelligible or partially unclear. Associated Press video of the proceeding is available here.
THE CASE
Plaintiff: Terry Sanderson, retired optometrist, Salt Lake City; practiced in Soda Springs, Idaho. Attended North Montana College, University of Montana, Pacific University. Suing for $300,000 for injuries sustained in the collision.
Defendant: Gwyneth Paltrow, Academy Award winner, Hollywood superstar, wellness entrepreneur and influencer behind Goop. Attended University of California, Santa Barbara. Countersuing for $1 and attorney fees.
JUDGE AND LAWYERS
Judge
The Honorable Kent R. Holmberg, Utah 3rd District
University of Tennessee, B.S., Accounting, 1980
William Mitchell College of Law (now Mitchell Hamline School of Law), St. Paul, Minn., J.D., 1983
Attorneys for plaintiff involved in questioning:
Kristin A. VanOrman, Strong & Hanni
Brigham Young University, B.S., Psychology, 1992
Brigham Young University, J.D., 1995, Cum Laude
Admitted to Utah State Bar, 1995
Robert B. Sykes, Sykes McAllister
University of Utah, B.A., 1969
University of Utah, J.D., 1974
Admitted to Utah State Bar, 1974
Attorney for defense involved in questioning:
Stephen W. Owens, Epperson & Owens
University of Utah, B.S., Political Science, 1991, Cum Laude
University of Utah, J.D., 1994, Cum Laude
Admitted to Utah State Bar, 1994
(Biographical information from law firm, university websites and legal directories.)
PALTROW TESTIMONY
(Gwyneth Paltrow is called to the witness stand and sworn in.)
Ms. VanOrman: Seems like evening, doesn’t it.
Ms. Paltrow: I’ve been tired all day; I have no idea. (chuckles)
Ms. VanOrman: You and me both. (chuckles) Could you state your name and spell it for the record, please.
Ms. Paltrow: Yes, my legal name is Gwyneth Kate Paltrow Falchuk. That’s G-W-Y-N-E-T-H K-A-T-E P-A-L-T-R-O-W F-A-L-C-H-U-K.
Ms. VanOrman: Great, thank you. May I call you Miss Paltrow?
Ms. Paltrow: Sure.
Ms. VanOrman: OK, fantastic. As you’ve seen the last few days, we always have the witnesses give background information, tell about yourself, ec (sic) cetera. I have a feeling that everybody in the courtroom knows who you are, so we’re not gonna go through all the background, we’re just gonna kinda cut to the chase. Is that fair?
Ms. Paltrow: Sounds fine.
Ms. VanOrman: All right, wonderful. Let’s just talk about skiing. My understanding is that you are pretty much an intermediate type skier.
Ms. Paltrow: I would characterize myself as intermediate.
Ms. VanOrman: OK, you’ve been skiing since you were a child.
Ms. Paltrow: I have.
Ms. VanOrman: OK. Um, do you do Black Diamonds, Blues, Greens; I’m not really a skier, so you’ve gotta kinda help me out with this.
Ms. Paltrow: I’d prefer to do more Blues than Blacks.
Ms. VanOrman: OK. And Blue is intermediate right, under Black?
Ms. Paltrow: Yes.
Ms. VanOrman: OK. And the Bandanna Run where this accident occurred, it was a Green run?
Ms. Paltrow: Yes. To my recollection.
Ms. VanOrman: All right. Fantastic. So as an intermediate skier, would you say that you’ve skied enough to at least be familiar with the rules of skiing.
Ms. Paltrow: I think so, yes.
Ms. VanOrman: OK. And what are those rules?
Ms. Paltrow: I think, you know, use common sense, ski safely, be aware of other skiers around you.
Ms. VanOrman: OK. What about skiing in control. Is that something that you need to do.
Ms. Paltrow: Yes. Absolutely.
Ms. VanOrman: Um, you have to give right of way to those who are downhill.
Ms. Paltrow: Yes.
Ms. VanOrman: OK. Um, you also have certain responsibilities if you’re in a collision. Is that fair?
Ms. Paltrow: Yes. Which I learned more about post the collision.
Ms. VanOrman: I bet (chuckles). You- you’ve probably been hit over the head after- with all of that information since the time, right?
Ms. Paltrow: Indeed.
Ms. VanOrman: OK. Um, so let’s talk about those things. Did you know the rules at the time of the collision, that if you’re in a collision with someone, you need to give your name and information, contact information.
Ms. Paltrow: So because I was hit by Mr. Sanderson and he was at fault, I assumed that Eric, who was our ski instructor who was there at the time, who was overseeing the event, he said, “I’m gonna leave all of your information,” and he said “You should go ski down,” because my kids were waiting for me.
Ms. VanOrman: And- and I appreciate that, but my question was, Did you know of the rule of skiing, if you are in a collision that you need to share that information?
Mr. Owens: Objection: Your honor, this is irrelevant. This is not part of the negligence claim.
Judge Holmberg: Overruled, I’ve- Overruled. Go ahead.
Ms. Paltrow: Can you repeat the question.
Ms. VanOrman: Absolutely. At the time of the collision, were you were aware of the rule that if you’re in a collision, you need to share your name, your contact information, with the person that you were involved in the collision with.
Ms. Paltrow: I don’t think I was aware of the rule.
Ms. VanOrman: OK. Were you aware that there is kind of a rule of common decency to do that.
Ms. Paltrow: I ... would not have left the scene without leaving my information, and my information was left.
Ms. VanOrman: Did you provide that information.
Ms. Paltrow: No, Eric Christiansen who was the ski instructor with us, said he would leave all the information.
Ms. VanOrman: You don’t know if he did or did not, though, did- do you. You weren’t there when he did.
Ms. Paltrow: Well subsequently, I know that he did.
Ms. VanOrman: I’m not asking that. I’m asking, when you were there, at the collision, you didn’t ensure that it was given. You weren’t there when it was given.
Ms. Paltrow: I was not there when it was given.
Ms. VanOrman: All right. And it’s also- I think you even admitted in your deposition, that it's- the rule of common decency to make sure that everybody's OK, exchange information, and to follow those skiing rules. Is that fair?
Ms. Paltrow: Yeah.
Kristin VanOrman questions Gwyneth Paltrow as Terry Sanderson (left) looks on.
Ms. VanOrman: OK. All right. So let’s talk about that day. After I get a drink of water.
Ms. Paltrow: OK. I’ll have one as well.
Ms. VanOrman: Do you have wat- oh, do you have some water.
Ms. Paltrow: I do. Thank you.
Ms. VanOrman: So I just wanna kinda set the stage, um, your skiing that day, my understanding it was nice conditions, beautiful day.
Ms. Paltrow: Mm hmm.
Ms. VanOrman: Is that a yes?
Ms. Paltrow: Yes.
Ms. VanOrman: Sorry. Um, and Deer Valley, we know that Deer Valley is always immaculately groomed, good conditions on slopes.
Ms. Paltrow: Good conditions.
Ms. VanOrman: All right. You were skiing that day with your daughter Apple, correct?
Ms. Paltrow: Yes.
Ms. VanOrman: Moses.
Ms. Paltrow: Mm hmm, my son.
Ms. VanOrman: And, um, Brad Falchuk, who was your boyfriend at the time. Now current husband.
Ms. Paltrow: Correct.
Ms. VanOrman: All right, and his two children.
Ms. Paltrow: That’s right.
Ms. VanOrman: Right. And his kids were the same age- approximate age as yours on the day of the ski collision.
Ms. Paltrow: They all remain the same age (chuckles). As each other.
Ms. VanOrman: That’s a very, very good point.
Ms. Paltrow: we’re like “The Brady Bunch.” Girls are the same age. Boys are the same age.
Ms. VanOrman: All right. And back then, it was 12 and 9.
Ms. Paltrow: 11 and 9.
Ms. VanOrman: 11 and 9. All right. Fantastic. And the day of the collision, I think you, um, had been to Deer Valley twice, prior to that time.
Ms. Paltrow: I believe so.
Ms. VanOrman: OK. And this was the first day of your ski trip.
Ms. Paltrow: I think that’s correct.
Ms. VanOrman: OK. Um, and I don’t know how many days you were there, but I know, at least from what you’ve told us, after that first day, um, you also skied the next day.
Ms. Paltrow: Yes.
Ms. VanOrman: OK. So when Mr. Sanderson was at home, you were skiing.
Ms. Paltrow: I don’t know.
Ms. VanOrman: OK. Fair enough. So the children, um, all four of them, had lessons during that trip.
Ms. Paltrow: That’s right.
Ms. VanOrman: OK. Would you agree that those lessons were fairly expensive.
Ms. Paltrow: They were (chuckles).
Ms. VanOrman: OK. Do you remember about how much they were.
Ms. Paltrow: Um, I would have to check, whatever the Deer Valley rate is, is what we paid.
Ms. VanOrman: OK. I’m- if- let me know if this is about right. At least from what I saw in your deposition, the total bill was around eight thousand, nine-hundred and eighty dollars. Does that sound about right for four?
Mr. Owens: I think that misstates the evidence. I think that was for both families.
Ms. VanOrman: For four. Four kids.
Ms. Paltrow: I would honestly have to check.
Ms. VanOrman: OK. All right. Do you- that’s- that’s fine.
Ms. Paltrow: But it’s very expensive.
Ms. VanOrman: Very expensive.
Ms. Paltrow: Very.
Ms. VanOrman: Right. And then tips on top of that.
Ms. Paltrow: Yes.
Ms. VanOrman: And I’m assuming, you’re under oath here, that you’re a good tipper.
Ms. Paltrow: Yes (chuckles).
Ms. VanOrman: OK. Fantastic. I wouldn’t expect anything less. Um, all right, so let’s talk about your daughter Apple. She was eleven.
Ms. Paltrow: She was.
Ms. VanOrman: OK. And her instructor was Keri Oaks.
Ms. Paltrow: That’s correct.
Ms. VanOrman: All right, And, um, Apple at the time was a good beginner.
Ms. Paltrow: Yes.
Ms. VanOrman: OK. And your son Moses, he was nine at the time.
Ms. Paltrow: Yes.
Ms. VanOrman: And he was moreso of a real beginner.
Ms. Paltrow: Yes.
Ms. VanOrman: All right. And his instructor was Eric Christiansen.
Ms. Paltrow: Correct.
Ms. VanOrman: OK. And I think both Keri Oaks and Eric are comin’ next week.
Ms. Paltrow: I believe so.
Steve Owens questions Gwyneth Paltrow as Terry Sanderson (left) looks on.
Ms. VanOrman: All right. Fantastic. So, three days ago, um, can you believe it’s been only three days.
Ms. Paltrow: No.
Ms. VanOrman: Me neither. So three days ago, um, Mr. Owens, um, in his opening, talked about risky behavior, risky skiing, and he made mention that you know, of course, Miss Paltrow was not skiing, um, recklessly, not taking any kind of risky behavior because her children were there that day. Do you recall him saying that?
Mr. Owens: I think it does misstate my testimony. But-
Judge Holmberg: Well it wasn’t testimony that you stated.
Mr. Owens: My- my argument.
Judge Holmberg: Can you answer the question?
Ms. Paltrow: If I remember what he said?
Ms. VanOrman: No, just- maybe, do you agree with that. That on that day of the collision, you were not engaging any- in any kind of risky behavior-
Ms. Paltrow: Correct
Ms. VanOrman: ... especially because your kids were there.
Ms. Paltrow: I was not engaging in any risky behavior.
Ms. VanOrman: OK. But also, and I think that your counsel made mention of htis in opening, that espcially because your children were there.
Ms. Paltrow: I don’t recall him saying that.
Ms. VanOrman: All right. Well did your children being there, um, make it so that you especially would not engage in risky behavior.
Ms. Paltrow: I- I didn’t engage in risky behavior. I wouldn’t with my children there, or without my children there.
Ms. VanOrman: OK. And, kind of in life, I mean, I’m a mom, right, I’ve got a couple kids, um, actually about your age, one of 'em, not your age, your daughter's age, sorry, I’m not that old. Um, when my kids are around, I kind of behave myself a little bit better, especially when they were younger, than on average. Would you agree with that.
Ms. Paltrow: I- I’ve always been very open and honest with my kids. And, um, some- I- I think, you know, They know me very well.
Ms. VanOrman: Um hmm, right. And would you agree that you have engaged in risky behavior with your children present?
Mr. Owens: Your honor, may we approach.
Judge Holmberg: Sure.
(Discussion not heard on video.)
Judge Holmberg: we’re all back, thank you. Um, so the objection is sustained, and the jury should disregard the question.
Ms. VanOrman: All right, let’s go back to the day of the accident.
Ms. Paltrow: OK.
Ms. VanOrman: So, you’re on Bandanna, correct, it’s a green run. Um, It’s true you were relatively familiar with that run, correct.
Ms. Paltrow: Yes. My children especially like that run.
Ms. VanOrman: OK. And the accident happened at- towards the beginning of the run, is that accurate.
Ms. Paltrow: Not at the top, but-
Ms. VanOrman: Sure. But not at the bottom.
Ms. Paltrow: Correct.
Ms. VanOrman: All right. Um, and it sounds like from what I have heard and re- reviewed, um, you had done about four to five runs that day, and you and kind of the group were going to go get some lunch with everyone.
Ms. Paltrow: Correct.
Ms. VanOrman: All right. So, let’s talk about, as you’re skiing down, Apple, we- we’ve talked about, she was 11, Moses was 9-
Ms. Paltrow: Um hmm.
Ms. VanOrman: Did your children, when they were skiing, or doing anything that kids do, like to ask you to watch them.
Ms. Paltrow: When they were very little, I remember, you know, “Watch me, jump in the pool,” and things like that, when they were more like four or five years old, that sort of age.
Ms. VanOrman: OK so when Moses was 9, he didn’t say “Mommy, Mommy watch me,” or “Mom,” I don’t knonw what he called ya- but-
Ms. Paltrow: Mama.
Ms. VanOrman: Mama. “Mama watch me, watch me do things.”
Ms. Paltrow: Not that I recall on that day.
Ms. VanOrman: OK. Do you remember testifying that on that day, that’s exactly what did happen.
Ms. Paltrow: I don’t remember.
Ms. VanOrman: All right. And- I’ll show you a deposition-
Ms. Paltrow: Sure.
Ms. VanOrman: ... in just a second. So in fact, during- You remember the deposition, right?
Ms. Paltrow: Yes.
Ms. VanOrman: It was actually during 2020, it was during COVID.
Ms. Paltrow: Yes.
Gwyneth Paltrow points to where she can see a demonstration by Kristin VanOrman.
Ms. VanOrman: So it was, via Zoom. We’ve never actually never met in person. It was kind of on the video. Um, And you were asked a question a number of times, you know, Were you, was- were your children, um, asking you to watch them. And- and you said no. I think you-
Ms. Paltrow: I don’t remember them saying “Watch me” on that day.
Ms. VanOrman: OK. Well do you remember that in that deposition then we played you parts of Keri Oaks” deposition.
Mr. Owens: So your honor, this is improper impeachment. I mean, what’s the question that’s being contested.
Ms. VanOrman: we’re- we’re just kind of going through the, the history here.
Mr. Owens: Not through the deposition.
Judge Holmberg: I’ll allow- I’ll allow a few questions. I think counsel is referring to depo- what was going on during depositions, but-
Ms. VanOrman: Yes.
Judge Holmberg: ... Uh, please get quickly to the question.
Ms. VanOrman: Abso- Absolutely. So you remember during your deposition, being played just a portion of, um, Apple’s instructor Keri Oaks, her deposition, wherein she said, that yes, Moses was saying, “Mommy, mommy, watch me.”
Ms. Paltrow: That she was saying- I- I ... don’t remember. That she- that, that while they were skiing, they were saying that?
Ms. VanOrman: Yeah.
Ms. Paltrow: I don’t remember that, no.
Ms. VanOrman: All right. OK. And so you don’t remember then changing your testimony in your deposition admitting that that is what happened?
Ms. Paltrow: I- I’m- I’m sure if Keri Oaks said; I’m saying, I don’t remember him saying, “Watch me, watch me.”
Ms. VanOrman: OK. Can I approach, your honor?
Judge Holmberg: You may.
Ms. VanOrman: Gonna hand you a copy of your deposition.
Ms. Paltrow: I’m gonna need my reading glasses, unfortunately.
Ms. VanOrman: I totally get it.
Ms. Paltrow: Sorry about that.
Mr. Owens: I don’t think there’s an- a, a contradiction here, your honor. She said, uh, doesn’t recall that Keri Oaks said something. So I don’t- I don’t know why we can’t just move forward.
Judge Holmberg: O- Overruled. Go ahead.
Ms. VanOrman: Thank you. Could you turn ... let’s see here ... to Page 122 of your deposition.
Ms. Paltrow: Yes.
Ms. VanOrman: OK. And I’m gonna read the question that was given by Mr. Sykes.
Ms. Paltrow: Um hmm.
Ms. VanOrman: Everybody’s gonna know it was Mr. Sykes who ans - asked the question when I read it. And I’m gonna have you answer. Um, now Miss Paltrow, and this, I’m sorry, I apologize, I’m starting on Line 4.
Ms. Paltrow: OK.
Ms. VanOrman: OK. “Now Miss Paltrow, isn’t it true? Isn’t it true, I’m just a country lawyer here, OK. Isn’t it true that your kids wanted to watch you ski? Or pardon me, that the, the kids wanted you to watch them ski? Isn’t that true?” And your, your counsel, he objected. How did you answer that question?
Mr. Owens: Let’s read the objection, Your Honor, if we’re gonna do this.
Ms. VanOrman: The- Objection was vague as to time.
Judge Holmberg: It is the, uh, do you want me to rule on the objection? I mean-
Ms. VanOrman: If we’re gonna read it, then we should read the objection.
Judge Holmberg: OK, read it.
Ms. VanOrman: Yes, the objection said vague as to time?
Ms. Paltrow: Yes Yes.
Ms. VanOrman: Then, how did you respond?
Ms. Paltrow: I said, “I can still watch my children ski, and be skied directly into my back by someone.”
Ms. VanOrman: And then you continued.
Ms. Paltrow: Which is what happened.
Ms. VanOrman: Exactly. So you were watching your children when you alleged that you were skied directly into your back by someone.
Ms. Paltrow: My daughter was down the hill. My son was to my left, so I was skiing, my eyes were not fixated only on my son when Mr. Sanderson skied directly into my back.
Ms. VanOrman: OK. And so when Miss Oaks, who's gonna testify next week, said that your son Moses was saying, “Mommy, mommy, watch me.” That’s who you were watching, right?
Mr. Owens: That’s vague as to time, your honor.
Judge Holmberg: Overruled-
Ms. VanOrman: Right- Right-
Judge Holmberg: Overruled, go ahead.
Ms. VanOrman: Thank you.
Ms. Paltrow: Sorry, what was the question?
Ms. VanOrman: Yeah. When Moses is saying, “Mommy, mommy, watch me.”
Ms. Paltrow: Mm hmm.
Ms. VanOrman: That’s who you were looking at when you were when you were direct- when you were skied directly into your back.
Ms. Paltrow: I do not recall Moses saying, “Mommy, Mommy, watch me” on the ski slope.
Ms. VanOrman: OK? Well, Apple was down further, right?
Ms. Paltrow: Yes.
Ms. VanOrman: She didn’t see it.
Ms. Paltrow: No.
Ms. VanOrman: OK. And Moses, he was the one, at least according to Keri Oaks, was calling your attention.
Ms. Paltrow: OK.
Ms. VanOrman: OK. Um, nine year old, did he want more attention to have somebody watch them rather than eleven?
Ms. Paltrow: Not necessarily.
Ms. VanOrman: OK. Moses was skiing above you, though, right? He hadn’t gotten down as far as you.
Ms. Paltrow: He was on my left.
Ms. VanOrman: And up.
Ms. Paltrow: I was on the right. He was. Oops, sorry. He was on the left side of the slope. Um, yes, I believe, kind of a little bit uphill.
Ms. VanOrman: OK. And that’s where your attention was when you were hit allegedly in the back.
Ms. Paltrow: I don’t know where my attention was the moment I was struck in the back. I’m sorry.
Ms. VanOrman: OK, well, that’s what you said, which is what happened.
Ms. Paltrow: He struck me in the back, yes, that’s exactly what happened.
Ms. VanOrman: OK, I know, but you said, “I can still watch my children ski-”
Ms. Paltrow: Yes, meaning-
Ms. VanOrman: ... “directly into my back by someone, which is what happened.”
Ms. Paltrow: Yes, exactly.
Mr. Owens: What’s- what’s the pending question? It sounds like they're saying the exact same thing.
Judge Holmberg: What’s the question?
Ms. VanOrman: The question is, you were watching your children ski when you were struck in the back?
Mr. Owens: So that’s asked and answered, your honor.
Judge Holmberg: Overruled.
Ms. Paltrow: I was skiing, and looking downhill, as you do, and I was skied directly into by Mr. Sanderson.
Ms. VanOrman: OK. And your nine year old son, you will admit, was on your left and up a bit.
Ms. Paltrow: To my recollection.
Ms. VanOrman: OK. All right. And Keri Oaks is the one who says that he was the one calling your attention.
Ms. Paltrow: You’ll have to speak to Miss Oaks.
Ms. VanOrman: We will. All right. So. I want to go through the accident a bit, um, because we did this over video.
Ms. Paltrow: Mm hmm.
Kristin VanOrman raises a point to Judge Kent Holmberg.
Ms. VanOrman: We didn’t really get to act it out a whole heck of a lot. But I want to just kind of talk with you first. Um, and- and see if this is your recollection of how it happened.
Mr. Owens: Your honor, I think this is improper. She should just ask her what happened and if she testified contrary to that earlier, then she cross examines her with the deposition.
Judge Holmberg: And what’s the objection?
Mr. Owens: Uh, Improper use of deposition testimony.
Judge Holmberg: It’s a party under Rule 32, it can be used for any purpose. You may proceed.
Ms. VanOrman: Thank you. You were going along relatively slowly. Is that fair?
Ms. Paltrow: Yes.
Ms. VanOrman: OK. I’m just gonna kind of ask you a couple of questions.
Ms. Paltrow: Sure.
Ms. VanOrman: So let me know if anything I say is not accurate.
Ms. Paltrow: OK.
Ms. VanOrman: OK. So, you’re going down relatively slowly, when all of a sudden, you heard a strange rustling noise behind you.
Ms. Paltrow: Yes.
Ms. VanOrman: OK. And you felt like a rush of air in a strange way.
Ms. Paltrow: Yes.
Ms. VanOrman: OK. And two skis slid in between my skis.
Ms. Paltrow: That’s correct.
Ms. VanOrman: And all of a sudden, there was a body from the whole front of a body pressing into my back.
Ms. Paltrow: That’s right.
Ms. VanOrman: OK. Like, we’ll talk about this in a minute. And there was a man behind me pressing into me. How did you know it was a man?
Ms. Paltrow: Because he was making some strange noises that sounded male. And he was large. So I assumed it was a male.
Ms. VanOrman: OK, he was large?
Ms. Paltrow: I felt all my back.
Ms. VanOrman: OK.
Ms. Paltrow: Pressing.
Ms. VanOrman: OK. Um, all right, there was a man pressing behind me, pressing into me.
Ms. Paltrow: Mm hmm.
Ms. VanOrman: I was extremely upset.
Ms. Paltrow: Well, I was confused at first, and I didn’t know what- exactly what was happening, so very strange thing to happen on a ski slope.
Ms. VanOrman: I agree.
Ms. Paltrow: And I froze and I would say was, I got very upset a couple seconds later.
Ms. VanOrman: OK. Let me just continue on here. I just want to make sure that I got this all right. I didn’t know if it was an intentional assault of a sexual nature.
Ms. Paltrow: Right.
Ms. VanOrman: OK. Was he grinding and thrusting or something or just the noises? What- what- what made you think it was a sexual assault?
Ms. Paltrow: So that was a quick thought that went through my head when I was trying to reconcile what was happening. I was skiing and two skis came between my skis, forcing my legs apart, and then there was a body pressing against me, and there was a very strange, grunting noise. So my brain was trying to make sense of what was happening. I thought, “Am I, is this a practical joke? Is someone, like, doing something perverted? This is really, really strange.” My mind was going very, very quickly, and I was trying to ascertain what was happening.
Ms. VanOrman: OK. Um, and I think you said, I didn’t know if it was an accident, but he was groaning and grunting in a very disturbing way.
Ms. Paltrow: Yes, there was a sort of groan coming out of his mouth.
Ms. VanOrman: OK. Then you said, “I froze”?
Ms. Paltrow: Yes.
Ms. VanOrman: “We kept skiing.”
Ms. Paltrow: Right.
Ms. VanOrman: “We went to the right?”
Ms. Paltrow: Yes.
Ms. VanOrman: “We came crashing down together.”
Ms. Paltrow: That’s right.
Ms. VanOrman: OK. You said “This man was behind me on the mountain, my knee and our skis were- were still sort of tangled up.”
Ms. Paltrow: Mm hmm.
Judge Holmberg: Yes?
Ms. VanOrman: Is that yes?
Ms. Paltrow: Yes.
Ms. VanOrman: All right. “Our bodies were almost spooning, and I moved away quickly.”
Ms. Paltrow: Yes.
Ms. VanOrman: “And I knee- and my knees splayed open and I was completely in shock.”
Ms. Paltrow: Yes.
Ms. VanOrman: OK. All right. I’m gonna stop there.
Ms. Paltrow: OK.
Ms. VanOrman: And if the court and Miss Paltrow, if you don’t mind, since, again, we did this over Zoom, would you mind stepping down and us kind of acting this out a little bit so I can get a good feel?
Mr. Owens: Let’s see. Can we approach your honor?
Judge Holmberg: Sure.
(Lawyers talk with Judge Holmberg. The conversation is not heard on video.)
Ms. VanOrman: The court doesn’t mind if I act it out, correct?
Mr. Owens: Let’s- actually, let’s just get as sustained.
Judge Holmberg: Yeah, the objection was sustained as requested, but, you know, you’re welcome to move around the courtroom.
Ms. VanOrman: Wonderful, thank you. (To unknown) Do you have a microphone?
(Unknown): Yes.
Ms. VanOrman: OK, Miss Paltrow. So your counsel doesn’t want you to come down, so I’m not gonna ask you to come down.
Mr. Owens: Your honor, that’s inappropriate. The judge has sustained the objection. So she shouldn’t comment on, on what I want. It’s what the judge wants.
Judge Holmberg: Sus- The objection was sustained.
Ms. VanOrman: OK, I am going to try and be both you and Mr. Sanderson at the same time.
Mr. Owens: Let’s have Bob. Bob can be-
(Unknown, perhaps Mr. Sykes): Your honor, your honor let’s have Mr. Sanderson, he’s here. Let’s have him come dowm-
Judge Holmberg: We’re not gonna reenact what happened. I think you can ask questions and ask if you want to stand and move around in order to help you with those questions, you can do that, but that’s as far as we’re gonna go.
Ms. VanOrman: That- That’s not a problem at all. All right, so, since you’re not down here... may I ask how tall you are?
Ms. Paltrow: I’m just under five, ten.
Ms. VanOrman: OK. I am so jealous.
Ms. Paltrow: I think I’m shrinking, though.
Ms. VanOrman: You and me both. I have to wear four-inch heels just to make it to five-five, so.
Ms. Paltrow: They’re very nice.
Ms. VanOrman: Oh thank you. So, all right, so, as of right now, I’m Gwyneth Paltrow.
Ms. Paltrow: OK.
Ms. VanOrman: OK. I’m skiing down. Can you tell me with my legs? I don’t know, again, I’m not much of a skier, are you, snow plowing? Are you parallel? Kind of orient my legs, first of all. Sorry. I can do this, I can do this.
Ms. Paltrow: Not- not snow plowing,
Ms. VanOrman: OK.
Ms. Paltrow: Just skis.
Ms. VanOrman: All right.
Ms. Paltrow: It’s hard for me to see what you’re- where you’re standing.
Ms. VanOrman: May- may she come down just to- to- see?
Judge Holmberg: You can. You can ... you can walk further forward, Miss VanOrman.
Ms. VanOrman: Oh sure. Great. No problem. All right, so.
Unknown: But the jury can’t see that.
Judge Holmberg: The jury, you can go ahead and stand or move wherever you feel you need to to see what’s going on here.
Ms. VanOrman: All right. So, are my feet oriented correctly?
Ms. Paltrow: Yes.
Ms. VanOrman: Go ahead and tell me how to move ’em.
Ms. Paltrow: I think, you know, skiing down, going to the right.
Ms. VanOrman: OK. So about-
Ms. Paltrow: OK- Probably a little bit further apart.
Ms. VanOrman: OK. About like that?
Ms. Paltrow: And then two skis slide slowly between my skis.
Ms. VanOrman: All right. So my feet are about, what, a foot apart? Would you say, 18 inches?
Ms. Paltrow: Probably.
Ms. VanOrman: OK. And you believe that two skis slid right between.
Ms. Paltrow: That is correct.
Ms. VanOrman: OK. And so, all of a sudden, you see these two skis comin’ in between your leg legs.
Ms. Paltrow: Yes.
Ms. VanOrman: I would have freaked out, too.
Ms. Paltrow: And I did.
Ms. VanOrman: OK.
Mr. Owens: (unintelligible) Commentary ...
Ms. VanOrman: OK. And so, the skis are coming. How how far did the skis get in between your legs before you guys fell?
Ms. Paltrow: His body pressed up into my back.
Ms. VanOrman: OK.
Ms. Paltrow: So I froze. I don’t know exactly how far the skis would have come through.
Ms. VanOrman: OK.
Ms. Paltrow: ’Cause then I noticed his body pressing against my back.
Ms. VanOrman: OK.
Ms. Paltrow: And then it was probably a few good seconds, and then we fell to the right. Somebody must have caught an edge.
Ms. VanOrman: OK. So when you guys are- when you froze and you’re skiing together, I think you said at one point you- it was like you were spooning.
Ms. Paltrow: Well, when we fell down, we fell. I fell on his body, he fell on the ground, so it was kind of like a spoon on the ground.
Ms. VanOrman: OK, so.
Mr. Owens: Your- Your honor, the defendant has come into (unintelligible)
Judge Holmberg: I think it’s fine. I think it’s fine.
Ms. VanOrman: OK. Um, well, now that Mr. Sanderson is here... and I don’t need you to do anything, Terry, but, um, just for comparison’s sake, I’m in my heels. we’re about the same heighth. About five-five with heels.
Ms. Paltrow: It’s- roughly.
Ms. VanOrman: Oh, tell me I’m taller, please (chuckles). OK, so, so we’ve got Mr. Sanderson that’s about five-five that comes in back of you, and you’ve said that you felt something huge. What was your word behind you?
Ms. Paltrow: No just a big.
Ms. VanOrman: A big
Ms. Paltrow: ... body.
Ms. VanOrman: A big body. All right. And was it just the front of his body that touched the back of your body?
Ms. Paltrow: I couldn’t see in the back of my head.
Ms. VanOrman: Sure.
Ms. Paltrow: But I felt a body press against my back.
Ms. VanOrman: But there was no grabbing. Like, nobody, he didn’t, like, grab your waist or grab your arm.
Ms. Paltrow: No, not at all. No. Like that. Nothing.
Ms. VanOrman: OK. All right. So skis slide between, you kind of freeze, you- you end up, maybe your skis kind of cross, you end up going down. Would you agree that Mr. Sanderson fell to the ground and then you fell on top?
Ms. Paltrow: I don’t know if it was simultaneous. I don’t remember.
Ms. VanOrman: But you didn’t fallt (sic pronunciation) and hit the ground, correct?
Ms. Paltrow: I don’t remember exactly where I hit.
Ms. VanOrman: OK.
Ms. Paltrow: But I fell over.
Ms. VanOrman: All right.
Ms. Paltrow: ... With Mr. Sanderson.
Ms. VanOrman: Right, and Mr. Sanderson fell and hit the ground.
Ms. Paltrow: Yes.
Ms. VanOrman: All right. So ... going back here, um, you guys are on the ground. Now, you- you realize, right, and you’re not saying to the jury that this was in any way, shape, or form, a sexual assault.
Ms. Paltrow: I am not saying that. I’m just saying what went through my mind for a split second when it was happening.
Ms. VanOrman: All right, great. So you’re down on the ground, and then you started yelling at him.
Ms. Paltrow: I- I don’t remember if I started yelling at him while I was on the ground. I remember pushing away because I was very upset and it was still very strange to me, what had happened. Um, and I pushed down the hill and I turned around and I said, and I yelled at him.
Ms. VanOrman: OK. Did you scream before you went down?
Ms. Paltrow: I don’t think so.
Ms. VanOrman: OK. So if others heard a scream, you wouldn’t. That wasn’t you.
Ms. Paltrow: No, I froze when he slid between my skis, I absolutely froze, and I don’t remember yelling or screaming until I was very angry at what had happened.
Ms. VanOrman: OK. And so, you guys are on the ground.
Ms. Paltrow: Mm hmm.
Ms. VanOrman: um, and then you said to him, I think, you don’t know if you were up or if you were still on the ground, but he was still on the ground, right?
Ms. Paltrow: Yes.
Ms. VanOrman: When you said, “What are you doing?”
Ms. Paltrow: Yes.
Ms. VanOrman: OK. Like, why did you do that?
Ms. Paltrow: Yes.
Ms. VanOrman: And he said, “I think you skied into me.”
Ms. Paltrow: Yes.
Ms. VanOrman: And that’s when you were furious and said, “You skied directly into my effing back” at the top of your lungs.
Ms. Paltrow: Yes, I did.
Ms. VanOrman: OK.
Ms. Paltrow: I apologize for my bad language.
Ms. VanOrman: Well, in fact, you were screaming that so hard, you were worried that Moses was hearing you.
Ms. Paltrow: Yes.
Ms. VanOrman: OK. Um, and after you were screaming to him, isn’t that when Mr. Sanderson said, I’m sorry, I’m sorry?"
Ms. Paltrow: He said, I said, “You skied directly into my effing back,” And he said, “Oh, sorry, sorry, I’m sorry.”
Ms. VanOrman: Right. And that was, you screaming at him while he’s on the ground still. Right?
Ms. Paltrow: I was yelling at him.
Ms. VanOrman: Pretty loud. Pretty forceful
Ms. Paltrow: I was pretty upset.
Ms. VanOrman: Right? You’re small but mighty. Actually, you’re not that small. Um, so, when he said, I’m sorry, I’m sorry, would you agree that he kind of mumbled it?
Ms. Paltrow: Yes.
Ms. VanOrman: OK. All right, um, and then you remember Eric came over, Eric Christiansen?
Ms. Paltrow: Yes.
Ms. VanOrman: Who was Moses’s instructor.
Ms. Paltrow: Correct.
Ms. VanOrman: OK. And, um, that was when you were concerned that, oh, gosh, Moses is close by. He’s hearing me yell obscen- obscenities at this man.
Ms. Paltrow: Which is not my custom.
Ms. VanOrman: Right, and I think you said that.
Ms. Paltrow: And at some point, the man stood up, and we were all sort of talking.
Ms. VanOrman: Yes. What conversation did you have with Mr. Sanderson standing up?
Ms. Paltrow: I wasn’t having a conversation with him, Eric was helping him up and asking if he was OK.
Ms. VanOrman: OK. Eric eventually yanked him up, right? He pulled him up.
Ms. Paltrow: He helped him up.
Ms. VanOrman: OK, he didn’t get up on his own accord.
Ms. Paltrow: He helped him.
Ms. VanOrman: And were you still standing right there when he helped him?
Ms. Paltrow: I believe I was, yes.
Ms. VanOrman: You sure you hadn’t skied down a little bit?
Ms. Paltrow: I might have skied down a little bit because my son was down a little bit and my now husband came over at some point.
Ms. VanOrman: OK.
Ms. Paltrow: Um, so I- and I remember moving away from Mr. Sanderson after he collided into me and we hit the ground.
Ms. VanOrman: OK. And do you remember, um, we heard from Craig Ramon, he was the first individual who testified. Do you remember him coming to the scene?
Ms. Paltrow: I do not.
Ms. VanOrman: You don’t remember him at all?
Ms. Paltrow: No.
Ms. VanOrman: You don’t remember him being there or asking you, “Are you OK?”
Ms. Paltrow: I do not.
Ms. VanOrman: OK. You don’t remember him asking Terry if he was OK?
Ms. Paltrow: I don’t recall.
Ms. VanOrman: OK. All right. And then. I think, what you’ve said is Eric told you, “I’m gonna handle this,” um, and that’s what I think you’ve said people do. They handle things for you.
Ms. Paltrow: I don’t believe I said that.
Ms. VanOrman: You’ve never said that?
Ms. Paltrow: I believe what I said was in the acting world. That’s a world of representatives. So you have an agent who represents you, and so if they say, you know, I’m gonna provide information, you allow somebody to represent you. So when Eric, as an accredited Deer Valley ski instructor said to me, I’ll fill out the paperwork, he knew also that my daughter was at the bottom waiting for me to come for lunch or at the lunch place.
Ms. VanOrman: OK. And so, Mr. Christiansen handled it for you.
Ms. Paltrow: Mr. Christiansen stayed and filled out the report, made sure Mr. Sanderson was OK, and said to me, “You can go ahead.”
Ms. VanOrman: OK. How do you know that if you weren’t there?
Ms. Paltrow: Because he told me.
Ms. VanOrman: OK. That’s what he told you.
Ms. Paltrow: Yes.
Ms. VanOrman: But you weren’t there to see it.
Mr. Owens: He told you you can leave. He wasn’t there-
(Unknown): Objection, your honor-
Mr. Owens: Object to the form. I don’t understand.
Judge Holmberg: Sustained. Go ahead with your questions.
Attorney Steve Owens.
Ms. VanOrman: You weren’t there when the paperwork or the exchange of information was given. Fair?
Ms. Paltrow: Fair.
Ms. VanOrman: All right. And, um, would you agree that Mr. Christiansen did not see the incident, didn’t see the collision?
Ms. Paltrow: Correct. He just saw, right afterwards.
Ms. VanOrman: Right. But in fact, nobody from Deer Valley has seen- saw the collision.
Ms. Paltrow: Correct.
Ms. VanOrman: Your kids didn’t see the collision.
Ms. Paltrow: That’s right.
Ms. VanOrman: OK. Um, the only person that- you may not be aware of this, the only person who says that they saw the collision was Mr. Ramon.
Ms. Paltrow: Yes.
Ms. VanOrman: OK. Do- The way you answer that makes me think that you don’t believe that he saw it.
Ms. Paltrow: I did not believe his testimony.
Ms. VanOrman: Do you believe that he saw the collision?
Ms. Paltrow: No. I don’t believe that he saw what he thinks he saw.
Ms. VanOrman: Ms. Paltrow, why would he lie?
Ms. Paltrow: This is a man-
Mr. Owens: Goes to the motive, your honor. Perhaps that’s not the right objection under the rule, so, let me be quiet and withdraw my objection.
Judge Holmberg: Can you answer it?
Ms. Paltrow: He ... said he was at 40 feet away and color blind. I don’t know how he can be positive about what he saw, especially with how much he changed his story.
Ms. VanOrman: Well, what is colorblind have to do with anything? My husband's colorblind. We tease him all the time, that he can't tell red or green, but what does that have to do with not seeing who hit who?
Ms. Paltrow: Well, if you have two people in ski gear with helmets on and you’re 40-plus feet away, I’m not sure how you can discern who is who.
Ms. VanOrman: OK, well-
Ms. Paltrow: And I can tell you that he didn’t, because Mr. Sanderson categorically hit me on that ski slope, and that is the truth.
Ms. VanOrman: And I- And I’m sure that that’s what you believe. I’m not saying-
Ms. Paltrow: Because it’s the truth.
Ms. VanOrman: ... I’m not saying that.
Mr. Owens: Let’s get a question.
Ms. Paltrow: So, you and Mr. Sanderson, if you’re almost five-ten, Terry’s five-five, pushing it.
Mr. Owens: Your honor, that’s facts not in evidence.
Judge Holmberg: Counsel, you’ll have an opportunity to redirect or to direct examine, so go ahead.
Ms. VanOrman: If you two stood next to each other, do you think that somebody would confuse the two of you?
Ms. Paltrow: I- I don’t know. I’m telling you what happened.
Ms. VanOrman: OK. All right. ... So you’re screaming at Terry, worried that Moses hears you. You admit that you were shaken up.
Ms. Paltrow: Yes.
Ms. VanOrman: OK? Um. You don’t recall Mr. Ramon being there?
Ms. Paltrow: I do not.
Ms. VanOrman: Or asking you if you were OK?
Ms. Paltrow: I do not.
Ms. VanOrman: Did anybody ask you if you were OK?
Ms. Paltrow: I remember Eric, Christiansen asking me if I was OK, and Brad, my now husband, asking me if I was OK.
Ms. VanOrman: OK, and when you talk to Brad, he was down further, right?
Ms. Paltrow: Yes.
Ms. VanOrman: Down with Moses.
Ms. Paltrow: Yes.
Ms. VanOrman: So none of that took place where my client was.
Ms. Paltrow: He came over to me after the fall.
Ms. VanOrman: OK. And I just want to make sure you don’t have any kind of medical training.
Ms. Paltrow: No.
Ms. VanOrman: OK? You don’t know what injuries Mr. Sanderson did or did not sustain in- in the accident?
Ms. Paltrow: I do not.
Ms. VanOrman: OK. Are you aware now that you sat here the last three days that he did sustain four broken ribs?
Ms. Paltrow: Yes.
Ms. VanOrman: OK. Aware that he sustained a concussion?
Ms. Paltrow: Yes.
Ms. VanOrman: OK. Are you aware that he had to be taken down on a toboggan?
Mr. Owens: So. We should be clear. Like, does she know as a result of this testimony, or does she know personally?
Judge Holmberg: Would you clarify your question?
Ms. VanOrman: Yeah, sure. Um how did you learn that he broke four ribs?
Ms. Paltrow: Through all of this.
Ms. VanOrman: OK? And- And to make it clear, I don’t want to find out anything that your lawyers told you, that’s attorney client privilege, we can’t. So any time I’m asking you, I don’t want you to tell me what your lawyers have, have told you.
Ms. Paltrow: OK.
Ms. VanOrman: Um, through the court proceedings, is that fair?
Ms. Paltrow: That’s fair.
Ms. VanOrman: All right. You learned that Mr. Standerson (sic) broke four ribs?
Ms. Paltrow: Yes.
Ms. VanOrman: OK. And that he sustained a concussion.
Ms. Paltrow: Correct.
Ms. VanOrman: OK. That he went- was taken down on toboggan?
Ms. Paltrow: Yes.
Ms. VanOrman: Did you learn of that that day?
Ms. Paltrow: No.
Ms. VanOrman: Did you inquire?
Ms. Paltrow: What is your name again? Sorry. Kristin?
Ms. VanOrman: Yes.
Ms. Paltrow: Sorry, I was gonna say Kristin.
Ms. VanOrman: It’s all right.
Ms. Paltrow: I think you have to keep in mind when you’re the victim of a crash, right, your psychology is not necessarily thinking about the person who perpetrated it.
Ms. VanOrman: So the answer to my question is-
Ms. Paltrow: No.
Ms. VanOrman: ... No, you did not inquire.
Ms. Paltrow: I did not.
Ms. VanOrman: OK. Did you ever, um, ask, “Hey, how was that guy that ran into the back of me. Is he OK?” Do you ever ask anybody from Deer Valley about that?
Ms. Paltrow: I did not, because at the time, I did not know that he had sustained injuries like that. I thought it was very minor on the day.
Ms. VanOrman: And you didn’t stick around long enough to find that out?
Ms. Paltrow: I stuck around long enough for him to say he was OK to stand up, that he told Mr. Christiansen he was OK.
Ms. VanOrman: And when he- when he was helped up by Mr. Christiansen, um, again, you weren’t right there, you were down a ways.
Ms. Paltrow: Just a few feet down, yes.
Ms. VanOrman: Could you tell if Mr. Sanderson was still dazed or unsteady on his feet?
Ms. Paltrow: I- I could not. I don’t know.
Ms. VanOrman: OK. And, again, you didn’t leave your name, address, contact information, you didn’t fill out any paperwork in connection with this accident.
Ms. Paltrow: Eric did on my behalf.
Ms. VanOrman: Right, but I’m asking about you personally.
Mr. Owens: Uh, it has been asked and answered.
Judge Holmberg: Sustained.
Ms. VanOrman: OK. ... After the incident, you skied down, went to lunch, and then my understanding is you got a massage.
Ms. Paltrow: So, after the accident, I met all the rest of the kids at lunch, we all gathered, we had lunch, and I still felt very shaky and my knee was bothering me, my back was bothering me, so I decided to go in early and get a massage.
Ms. VanOrman: OK. Um, you never did seek any kind of medical treatment for your knee or your back?
Ms. Paltrow: No.
Ms. VanOrman: OK. Um, now, at the scene, before you skied down and- and had lunch, um, there was no indication that Mr. Sanderson knew who you were. Is that fair?
Ms. Paltrow: I don’t know.
Ms. VanOrman: OK. I think, well, you testified, there was no indication of that. You were wearing goggles, a helmet.
Ms. Paltrow: Yes.
Ms. VanOrman: OK, kind of looked like everybody else on the slope.
Ms. Paltrow: That’s always my intention.
Ms. VanOrman: OK. Probably had a better ski outfit, though, I bet. (chuckles)
Ms. Paltrow: I still have the same one. I just have one. (chuckles)
Ms. VanOrman: OK. So, nobody on the hill would be able to recognize you. Is that fair? Maybe your family-
Ms. Paltrow: I have been-
Ms. VanOrman: ... and friends-
Ms. Paltrow: I have been recognized on ski slopes before.
Ms. VanOrman: OK. Do you recall testifying in your deposition that “No one on the hill would be able to recognize me?”
Ms. Paltrow: That would be the idea.
Ms. VanOrman: OK.
Ms. Paltrow: But sometimes paparazzi has a way of figuring it out, is my point.
Ms. VanOrman: OK. Um, so your testimony to the jury here today is, Mr. Sanderson skied into you.
Ms. Paltrow: That is correct.
Ms. VanOrman: All right. Um Craig Ramon, you said he's not telling the truth or you don’t believe him.
Ms. Paltrow: I don’t. I- I’m telling you that what he said is not what happened.
Ms. VanOrman: OK. So, in other words, if somebody says something, that’s not what happened. They’re lying.
Ms. Paltrow: He is not telling the truth.
Ms. VanOrman: All right.
Ms. Paltrow: I don’t know if he knows he’s lying, but I’m telling you what he said is unfortunately not the truth.
Ms. VanOrman: All right. Well, in addition to Mr. Ramon, you’ve sat here when some of the experts have testified. We had, um, Dr. Gibby, and we heard, uh, Dr. Boehme, I always want to say “Bom” or “Bome.” Boehme. You’ve heard their testimony that the only way that Mr. Sanderson’s ribs could have been broken where they were, is that if he was hit from behind, you disagree with that?
Mr. Owens: I think it misstates their testimony.
Judge Holmberg: I guess I’m not sure what the objection is, but it’s overruled. The jury will have to remember what the testimony was.
Ms. VanOrman: That means you get to answer. You disagree with their testimony?
Ms. Paltrow: Absolutely. I disagree.
Ms. VanOrman: OK. Um. What medical training do you have to disagree with that?
Ms. Paltrow: I’m just telling you the truth of what actually happened.
Ms. VanOrman: OK.
Ms. Paltrow: That’s all I can do.
Ms. VanOrman: All right. And you don’t have any other witnesses who sought to, uh, support your position, correct?
Ms. Paltrow: Well, I have a lot of witnesses who saw the split seconds afterwards, and the positions of the bodies on the mountain which would indicate very clearly who hit who.
Ms. VanOrman: OK. Do you have any witnesses who saw it?
Ms. Paltrow: Who saw the-
Ms. VanOrman: The- the collision.
Ms. Paltrow: No.
Ms. VanOrman: All right. And you’re not trained in accident reconstruction.
Ms. Paltrow: Me?
Ms. VanOrman: Yeah. (chuckles)
Ms. Paltrow: No.
Ms. VanOrman: Neither am I. (chuckles) All right. Um, so. Miss. Paltrow, isn’t it true that this was an accident that you caused?
Ms. Paltrow: No, ma’am.
Ms. VanOrman: OK. Um, would you agree that you are accident prone?
Mr. Owens: So, your honor, can we have a bench meeting on this?
Judge Holmberg: Why don’t we take our recess now?
(Break taken in court.)
Judge Kent Holmberg.
Mr. Owens: Your honor, why are we dealing with things that have been addressed specifically on pretrial motions. And I have to object-
Judge Holmberg: Which motion.
Mr. Owens: Number 14. ... Previous unrelated injuries.
Judge Holmberg: The court’s ruling on that was that it appears the plaintiff does not intend to inquire into the areas covered by that motion. Um, I think it was representative at court when the motion was therefore granted. The ruling would be revisited if the defendant opens the door to these areas of evidence at trial. What’s the relevance as- let’s say she’s clumsy. Um, there's been no testimony that clumsiness in any way contributed to the accident.
Ms. VanOrman: Your honor, we also mentioned during that court hearing that questions were asked repeatedly in Miss Paltrow’s deposition if she was accident-prone, to which she said, “No I am not,” which she has admitted a number of times that she is. So this is all impeachment evidence. And that’s when the court said, “OK, that’s impeachment. Please provide that information to counsel,” which I did. He has all of the, um, articles, ec (sic) cetera and the video where Miss Paltrow went on Jimmy Kimmel saying “Yes I am accident prone, I am always runnin’ into things.” Which is- which is, I’m (unintelligible) ... which is very relevant to this case.
Judge Holmberg: How
Ms. VanOrman: How?
Judge Holmberg: Yeah.
Ms. VanOrman: Because we believe that that’s exactly what she did, is she ran into things like she always does. She was asked if she ever said that. She said “no,” and we have impeachment evidence that she has.
Judge Holmberg: But you’ve got no- Your accident reconstructionist did not testify that- that she was- that her clumsiness somehow, uh, had- played a part in the cause of the accident.
Ms. VanOrman: It’s not just clumsiness. It’s that she’s running inot things, that she’s accident-prone. Absolutely, that is- that’s the heart of this. And, the- the point is, she was asked a number of times in her deposition, Were you-
Judge Holmberg: And that part- that part I think I see as collateral impeachment.
Ms. VanOrman: Mmmm hmmm.
Judge Holmberg: So I- I don’t see that as, I don’t see that as your avenue to get that evidence in. Um, The closest I guess is your theory of the case, but you’ve got no expert and no one that testified that clumsiness somehow played a part in the accident. So it would just be argument based on, based on kinda fringe, uh, uh, impeachment.
Ms. VanOrman: It- It’s not clumsiness, it’s being accident-prone and always running into things.
Judge Holmberg: OK.
Ms. VanOrman: Which is what we contend she did in this case.
Judge Holmberg: All right. Let me hear from Mr. Owens.
Mr. Owens: We shouldn’t pretend that we have not had this fight before. I’m in deja vu from two months ago. When the judge already- when you already ruled on this. Uh, the judge, your honor, said the ruling will be revisited if the defendant opens the door to these areas of evidence at trial. Uh, that’s part of- Page 13. I don’t even have the motions around because we’ve alreadyhad it granted so why would we need to go dig and find out what our motions said. So, uh, your honor, no one- Ramon, no one- Ramon didn’t testify that she looked clumsy, for instance. Miss Paltrow never says uh, didn’t- did not say, “I’ve never been clumsy.” Um, anyway, you’ve ruled, and uh, we’re in deja vu here.
Judge Holmberg: I’ve ruled, I mean under- under par- uh, Rule 4.04, evidence of a person’s character or character trait is not admissible to prove that on a particular occasion the person acted in conformity with the character or trait. And under the court’s motion Limony decision under, it indicates on Page 13, Motion 14 pertains to her public appearances and previous unrelated injuries. That’s the previous instances of- that I- I believe that Miss VanOrman’s referring to, and the court’s order says it appears that plaintiff does not intend to inquire into the areas covered by this- these motions, and the motions are therefore granted. The ruling will be revisited if the defendant opens the door. If that occurs and the plaintiff wishes to present any of the categories of evidence, he must first address this with the court out of the presence of the jury. And I guess there wasn’t any .... request. I mean, is that what your motion, that I- is pending as relates to, that you want a clarification? From me?
Ms. VanOrman: No, that’s regarding the ski expert, um-
Judge Holmberg: OK
Ms. VanOrman: But what about prior inconsistent statements, Your Honor? I’m entitled to ask her if she’s testified that- she- she’s lied under oath a number of times, and I want to be able-
Mr. Owens: Your honor, that-
Ms. VanOrman: ... to show the jury
Mr. Owens: ... is slanderous, and I want it withdrawn this moment.
Judge Holmberg: Well, I- I must
Ms. VanOrman: She has testified-
Judge Holmberg: Just- just a moment.
Ms. VanOrman: ... inconsistent-
Mr. Owens: Your honor-
Judge Holmberg: Just a moment. Just a moment.
Mr. Owens: I’m not gonna sit here-
Judge Holmberg: Well, counsel, I’m talking, OK? Have a seat. Have a seat. OK, when- when the statement that you just made, do you want to rephrase that?
Ms. VanOrman: Yes, absolutely. She has made prior inconsistent statements during her deposition. Miss Paltrow was asked a number of times, three, four, five times-
Judge Holmberg: That- That may be, on- on this issue.
Ms. VanOrman: Yes
Judge Holmberg: That may be, but to me, without some witness tying it into the- the essential, uh, e, uh, elements of this case, or the essential issues in this case, um, I see it as collateral impeachment.
Ms. VanOrman: Even the fact that Mr. Ramon has testified that she skied into Mr. Sanderson as in she is also walking into walls, ec (sic) cetera.
Judge Holmberg: The ruling was my understanding was that the plaintiff was not going to inquire into the areas covered by the motions, which included that, uh, the previous unrelated injuries or un- other instances of conduct. So I’m gonna stand by my ruling, I haven’t, uh, I haven’t revisited it. Um, I think it’s a good ruling.
Mr. Owens: And I’d like an apology, your honor.
Ms. VanOrman: There- there was, and, and I am sorry, I did not. I- All I’m saying, there were inconsistent statements. I am not trying to slander Miss Paltrow nor say that she’s lying by any which way form. Or form.
Mr. Owens: We accept, thank you. My client says she accepts that.
Judge Holmberg: OK. Thank you. Let’s take a short break and come back, maybe five after.
(A courtroom break is taken.) (After court resumes, a discussion is held in front of the judge that is not heard in the video.)
Judge Holmberg: I think the jury’s coming. OK, you can bring them in. (People in courtroom rise for jury entrance.) Miss VanOrman, you may proceed.
Ms. VanOrman: Yes, thank you. So, Miss Paltrow, I want to shift gears a little bit and talk about kind of this was where my whole-
Mr. Owens: (unintelligible) ... get on the record that my objection was sustained
Judge Holmberg: Um, I’m sure it was on the record, whenever it was there, I- I don’t, I don’t recall. I don’t.
Mr. Owens: OK I think we just sent- Now would be a good time for a bench meeting, but...
Judge Holmberg: The objection was sustained.
Ms. VanOrman: OK, I’ve- moving on, shifting gears.
Mr. Owens: Right.
Ms. VanOrman: So, Miss. Paltrow, the reason I got involved in this case in the first place was your counterclaim. So I want to talk with you about the counterclaim. Um, is it true that you feel it’s unfair that Mr. Sanderson has brought this case against you?
Ms. Paltrow: I do.
Ms. VanOrman: OK. And he has deterred you from enjoying the rest of what was a very expensive vacation.
Ms. Paltrow: Well, I lost half a day of skiing.
Ms. VanOrman: Uh huh.
Ms. Paltrow: Yes.
Ms. VanOrman: Right. OK. And, um, and I think that’s that’s what your counsel has argued as well, that you lost a f- you had a full day pass, but you can only ski a half a day.
Ms. Paltrow: Yes, I went back down after lunch.
Ms. VanOrman: OK. Right. And that’s when you had lunch and you got a massage.
Ms. Paltrow: Yes.
Ms. VanOrman: OK. Um, didn’t get your knee checked out, didn’t have any kind of medical attention?
Ms. Paltrow: No, it didn’t feel acute in any way. It felt just like I had overstretched my knee and I had sustained a blow, but it didn’t feel like it needed medical attention.
Ms. VanOrman: OK. And you’re bringing this claim for one dollar.
Ms. Paltrow: I am.
Ms. VanOrman: OK. In fact, your counsel, Steve, do you still have that dollar bill?
Mr. Owens: Yes. I’ll let you use your own.
Ms. VanOrman: I’m not gonna even respond to that. You- You, Nah, I don’t need it.
Mr. Owens: You Sure?
Ms. VanOrman: Yeah, I don’t need it. You saw Mr. Owens wave that one dollar around, right?
Ms. Paltrow: I did.
Ms. VanOrman: OK. One dollar in symbolic damages. Is that accurate?
Ms. Paltrow: it’s an actual dollar that I’m asking for.
Ms. VanOrman: OK, but you also testified when I asked you questions in your deposition, that that one dollar is symbolic. Do you remember me asking you about that?
Ms. Paltrow: It’s symbolic because the damages would actually be more.
Ms. VanOrman: OK. And but remember me asking you, is it symbolic? And you said, yes, it is.
Ms. Paltrow: Yes.
Ms. VanOrman: OK. And I asked you as well, well you learned about that through Taylor Swift? Because she asked for one dollar in symbolic damages, right?
Ms. Paltrow: And I think I said at that point I had not been familiar with it, but I since am.
Ms. VanOrman: Now you are. But at the time, a couple years ago in 2020, you didn’t know anything about Taylor Swift’s one dollar symbolic damage lawsuit?
Mr. Owens: Just relevance, your honor.
Judge Holmberg: Counsel?
Ms. VanOrman: Because I asked her about it at the time, and she denied it.
(Unintelligible)
Ms. VanOrman: Correct.
Judge Holmberg: Can you answer the question??
Mr. Owens: Question of relevance.
Ms. Paltrow: I was not aware at the time.
Ms. VanOrman: OK. Are you good friends with Taylor Swift?
Ms. Paltrow: No.
Mr. Owens: Relevance
Judge Holmberg: Overruled.
Ms. VanOrman: You’re not good friends with Taylor Swift?
Ms. Paltrow: I would not say we’re good friends. We are friendly. I take my kids. I’ve taken my kids to one of her concerts before, but we don’t talk very often.
Ms. VanOrman: You’ve never given Miss Swift personal, um, intimate gifts for Christmas.
Mr. Owens: Uh, your honor, uh, relevance.
Judge Holmberg: Sustained as to relevance.
Mr. Owens: ... like a bench trial-
Ms. VanOrman: Well, she just said that she wasn’t friends with her, so
(Unknown): ... collateral ...
Ms. VanOrman: So I’m inquiring on that.
Mr. Owens: Ask her about Oprah, I mean-
Judge Holmberg: Mr. Owens, uh, sustained. Please move on.
Ms. VanOrman: You’re telling the jury that you are here asking for one dollar.
Ms. Paltrow: I am.
Ms. VanOrman: That’s not totally accurate, though, is it?
Ms. Paltrow: What do you mean?
Ms. VanOrman: Well, the jury isn’t gonna be deciding this, but you’re also asking the judge to award you attorneys fees a hun- for over hundreds of thousands of dollars, isn’t that true?
Mr. Owens: Your honor, uh, the judges made a ruling on this issue that it will be a separate event.
Judge Holmberg: Sustained as to relevance.
Ms. VanOrman: The relevance is, your honor, that they have-
Judge Holmberg: If you want to argue the relevance, we should do it up here.
Ms. VanOrman: Absolutely.
(The lawyers approach the bench for a discussion that is not heard on video.)
Judge Holmberg: Objection’s overruled.
Ms. VanOrman: Thank you, and I’ll- I’ll restate it, because I know it’s been a little while. So, it’s not true, Miss Paltrow, that you are just asking for a dollar. You are also asking, and this is not for the jury to decide, but this is for the court to decide later. You’re asking for your attorneys fees in this case, which could be quite substantial. Is that not true?
Ms. Paltrow: So-
Ms. VanOrman: it’s a yes or a no-
Ms. Paltrow: ... I’m asking for a dollar for me and then reimbursement of attorneys fees, which is a separate thing.
Ms. VanOrman: And that could be a substantial amount, correct?
Ms. Paltrow: Potentially.
Ms. VanOrman: OK. And when your counsel got up wavin' that $1, don’t you think that’s a little bit of a mischaracterization?
Mr. Owens: Your honor, she said I have one more question on this issue, and this is now three.
Judge Holmberg: O- Overruled. Go ahead.
Ms. VanOrman: Don’t you think that that’s- One dollar, that’s a mischaracterization, isn’t it?
Ms. Paltrow: I took it as I would receive that one dollar, which is all I am asking for.
Ms. VanOrman: Miss Paltrow, isn’t it true that you’ve misrepresented a number of things today to this jury?
Ms. Paltrow: Absolutely not.
Ms. VanOrman: No other questions.
Judge Holmberg: Mr. Owens. ...
Mr. Owens: Uh, you’ve been here every minute of this jury trial, true?
Ms. Paltrow: True. (chuckles)
Mr. Owens: And you’re intending to be here every minute, uh, next week?
Ms. Paltrow: I am.
Mr. Owens: Have you enjoyed yourself?
Ms. Paltrow: I’ve learned a lot.
Mr. Owens: Who hit who?
Ms. Paltrow: Mr. Sanderson hit me.
Mr. Owens: The comment was that, uh, Mr. Sanderson doesn’t take criticism well. Do you take criticism well?
Ms. Paltrow: In my profession, after all these years of being in the public eye, I think I take it relatively well.
Mr. Owens: You keep sending me notes. (Miss Paltrow chuckles.) “I didn’t cause these damages,” right?
Ms. Paltrow: That’s absolutely correct.
Mr. Owens: Do you feel some empathy for Mr. Sanderson and his declining brain?
Ms. Paltrow: You know, I really do. I feel very sorry for him. It seems like he's having a very difficult life, but I did not cause the accident, so I cannot be at fault for anything that subsequently happened to him.
Mr. Owens: So his daughter got up and said he was cursing out her, her daughter. Did you hear that?
Ms. Paltrow: I did hear that.
Mr. Owens: Did you cause that?
Ms. Paltrow: I did not cause that. (chuckles)
Mr. Owens: Did you give him brain injuries that were evident on his MRI in 19- 2006?
Ms. Paltrow: I did not.
Mr. Owens: All right, let’s start on a happier note. (Miss Paltrow chuckles.) Let’s bring up that picture of you and Moses. And while that’s coming up, did you personally take a selfie with you and your son?
Ms. Paltrow: I take selfies with my kids all the time, yes.
Mr. Owens: All right, and we’re gonna pull it up in just a minute. You know what picture I’m talking about. Did you personally take that photo? (A photo is shown in court but is not visible on video.)
Ms. Paltrow: I did.
Mr. Owens: On the day of issue?
Ms. Paltrow: I did before the accident.
Mr. Owens: OK. And uh, it’s hard to tell who the nine year old is there.
Ms. Paltrow: Thank you. (chuckles)
Mr. Owens: Are you on the right or left?
Ms. Paltrow: I’m on the right.
Mr. Owens: And Moses is on the left.
Ms. Paltrow: Yes.
Mr. Owens: And are you goin' up the ski lift?
Ms. Paltrow: It looks like it.
Mr. Owens: This is Defense 86. If we haven't moved for its admission, I would like to do so.
Ms. VanOrman: No objection.
Judge Holmberg: Then it’s 86 is received
Mr. Owens: And I notice, do you have a helmet on there?
Ms. Paltrow: I do.
Mr. Owens: And goggles?
Ms. Paltrow: Yes.
Mr. Owens: Did you always, that day, while on the slopes?
Ms. Paltrow: Yes.
Mr. Owens: Mr. Ramon testified, for instance, you were not wearing a helmet, or goggles, or any face covering whatsoever. True or it’s not true?
Ms. Paltrow: I think you can see the evidence that I was wearing a helmet and goggles.
Mr. Owens: So answer my question, please.
Ms. Paltrow: Sorry.
Mr. Owens: Is it true or not true that at the time of the collision and in the aftermath, you were or were not wearing a helmet?
Ms. Paltrow: I was.
Mr. Owens: And goggles?
Ms. Paltrow: Correct.
Mr. Owens: Uh, do you- did you ski at all that day without a helmet?
Ms. Paltrow: No.
Mr. Owens: Is that for anaminity (sic pronunciation)? I’m saying it wrong.
Ms. Paltrow: Anonymity?
Mr. Owens: Thanks for saying that. And also for safety or both or what?
Ms. Paltrow: it’s for safety primarily, but yes, I like to when I’m skiing, try to keep a low profile.
Mr. Owens: You were asked about, uh, well, let me let me, let me back up even further.
Ms. Paltrow: OK.
Mr. Owens: Uh, You told me, you helped, you learned to ski at Alta.
Ms. Paltrow: I did, actually.
Mr. Owens: Tell me a little about that.
Ms. Paltrow: My father was, um, he loved skiing, and he had learned later in life. Um, and so he was determined for my brother and I to learn how to ski when we were young. Um, and he used to do these really sweet one-on-one ski trips with us where he would take us to various destinations and Alta was one of them..
Mr. Owens: And then he died young, True?
Ms. Paltrow: Unfortunately, yes. (Bruce Paltrow passed away on Oct. 3, 2002, at age 58.)
Mr. Owens: Did you stop in his fifties?
Ms. Paltrow: That’s how I am, I’m in my fifties, but. I’m in my fifties.
Mr. Owens: Did you stop skiing for a while?
Ms. Paltrow: I did. Um, I was pretty devastated by his death and just being in the ski resort and on a chair lift, it was, um, it was difficult for me. So I avoided it for a few years until I had my own kids and then I heard his voice in my head thinking, “I should teach them how to ski.”
Mr. Owens: And uh, Brad Falchuk, you were dating him at the time.
Ms. Paltrow: Yes.
Mr. Owens: Now married to him?
Ms. Paltrow: Yes.
Mr. Owens: Were you skiing with the Coldplay guy, a Cold-, according to Ramon?
Ms. Paltrow: No, he no.
Mr. Owens: Who’s the Gol- Coldplay guy.
Ms. Paltrow: The Coldplay guy, I believe is he’s referring to my first husband, Chris Martin. He’s the singer, and he’s a guitar player and piano player in the band Coldplay.
Mr. Owens: Thank you. And uh, did this kind of blending of the families trip have some significance to you?
Ms. Paltrow: Yes, this was, um, this was a significant trip for us. It was the first time Brad and I were introducing our kids and doing something um, together as- to see if we could blend families.
Mr. Owens: Uh, there’s an implication that at the time of this collision, you were distracted. Were you distracted?
Ms. Paltrow: No.
Mr. Owens: Were you paying attention to where you were skiing?
Ms. Paltrow: I was.
Mr. Owens: Was there anyone in front of you?
Ms. Paltrow: There was not.
Mr. Owens: There’s an implication that uh, somehow you’re looking at Moses up the hill to the left, uh, while you’re skiing downhill. Were you doing that?
Ms. Paltrow: I was not.
Mr. Owens: Keri Oaks of Deer Valley does say something in her deposition about, uh, the kids want- wanting you to see them or something. Were you in fact, like, did you all meet at the top of the hill?
Ms. Paltrow: I think we were so we were six in our group, plus our ski instructor, so we would always meet that day at the top of the chair and kind of plod out where everyone was going.
Mr. Owens: Great. Um, OK, the six people. Let’s just make sure we know who they are.
Ms. Paltrow: Myself, Brad, my stepdaughter, Isabella, my daughter, Apple, my son, Moses, and my stepson, Brody.
Mr. Owens: OK. And then, uh, you had paid for each of the four kids to have their own individual instructors.
Ms. Paltrow: They were all very different levels, so Brad paid for his kids, and I paid for mine.
Mr. Owens: All right, the one dollar (Miss Paltrow chuckles) that I’ll probably wave in closing, but not this minute.
Ms. Paltrow: Mm hmm.
Mr. Owens: Were you, were you planning to ski the whole day?
Ms. Paltrow: I was.
Mr. Owens: And did you send a little text, uh, after lunch?
Ms. Paltrow: Yes.
Mr. Owens: Can you bring this up and (unintelligible) (a chart is posted in courtroom).
Judge Holmberg: Any objection?
Ms. VanOrman: No objection.
Judge Holmberg: Exhibit 110 for- for defendants is received.
Mr. Owens: These are kind of hard to see, and James is gonna bring it up. (unintelligible) 83A is the better copy I guess. ... So Gwyneth do you have the- a defense binder there?
Ms. Paltrow: I just have my deposition.
Mr. Owens: And so, um, let’s give her ours. I’m gonna hand you this binder. Can we move to admit 83 ... B.
Ms. VanOrman: No objection.
Judge Holmberg: Defense exhibit 83B is received.
Mr. Owens: it’s a little hard to see.
Ms. Paltrow: OK.
Mr. Owens: And James, can you blow up the last sort of guess? I think we need to go back just a little more of a date on that. Do you recall, I asked you, hey, did you text anyone that day? Do you remember this?
Ms. Paltrow: Yes.
Mr. Owens: And this is your own personal cellphone copy?
Ms. Paltrow: Yes, it is.
Mr. Owens: OK, and there's a day. Sorry, it’s a bad copy. February 24. Sorry. February 26, 2016. Is that. Is that in fact a true and correct copy of your phone screen?
Ms. Paltrow: Yes.
Mr. Owens: And who are you texting with? Do you recall?
Ms. Paltrow: Eric Christiansen, the ski instructor.
Mr. Owens: All right. So we went down, Bandanna, so you'd already been down that very, uh, oh, my board. I’m gonna get my board in case this is better copy. ... Um, all right. OK, cool. Which ones’s you on the right or left, do you know? The green?
Ms. Paltrow: I’m- Eric is the green and I’m with the white.
Mr. Owens: OK, cool. “We should take North side up question mark.” That’s you?
Ms. Paltrow: Mm hmm.
Mr. Owens: “OK, let’s go back out. And in the afternoon, let’s go with the. OK, let’s keep going down. Oh, let’s go Ruby left.” So you’re coordinating a little bit?
Ms. Paltrow: Yes.
Mr. Owens: On the mountain in real time, correct?
Ms. Paltrow: Yes.
Mr. Owens: And then. Uh, sorry James, I’m testing you out here. “Moses wants to know if you are still skiing and where.” All right, so it’s 2:29. and this is no one’s thinking lawsuit yet, right?
Ms. Paltrow: No.
Mr. Owens: And that’s you on the left with the G.
Ms. Paltrow: Yes.
Mr. Owens: And it says, can you read it? It says, “I came in. That guy sort of hurt me. I’m going to get a massage at three. Gigi is here if he wants to come.” Gigi was helping with the kids?
Ms. Paltrow: Yeah, GiGi was our babysitter.
Mr. Owens: All right. Did you go in earlier because you had been hit?
Ms. Paltrow: I did, yes.
Mr. Owens: Did you personally pay for a ski pass at Deer Valley?
Ms. Paltrow: I did.
Mr. Owens: And was it a full day pass?
Ms. Paltrow: It was.
Mr. Owens: And was it, uh, is this monetary difference between the full day pass and the half day pass more than one dollar?
Ms. Paltrow: It is.
Mr. Owens: Miss VanOrman kept saying, when you were “allegedly” hit, were you hit?
Ms. Paltrow: I was hit.
Mr. Owens: The definition of an assault is an unauthorized touching. Did Mr. Sanderson touch you in an unauthorized manner?
Ms. VanOrman: Objection your honor. May we approach?
Judge Holmberg: You may.
(The lawyers speak with the judge. The discussion is not heard on video.)
Judge Holmberg (to jury): You should disregard the question.
Mr. Owens: Did he touch you, uh, without your permission?
Ms. Paltrow: He did.
Mr. Owens: The sexual part, by the way, that’s just for a split second. You’re thinking, what’s going on here?
Ms. Paltrow: Yes, I was trying to put together what could possibly be happening behind me.
Mr. Owens: Scream, a scream. I think there are a couple witnesses that said they heard some noise.
Ms. Paltrow: Yes. When we fell.
Mr. Owens: Uh, is it impossible? You let out a noise upon being hit?
Ms. Paltrow: I think it’s impossible that I let out a noise upon being hit, because it was a very slow move. It wasn’t an impact. The impact came when we fell on the ground, so it’s very possible that when the impact was made I screamed, but I do not recall making a sound until we were falling or on the ground.
Mr. Owens: OK. Uh, so a collision, when I think of two skiers hitting each other, I think of a hit.
Ms. Paltrow: Mm hmm.
Mr. Owens: and then sort of separation between the two.
Ms. Paltrow: Yes.
Mr. Owens: Is that what happened with you?
Ms. Paltrow: No, this was very strange. It was a slow, in between my skis with his skis and then like one one-thousand, two one-thousand-ish, and then a fall.
Mr. Owens: The defense has prepared an animation exhibit that will be shown next week. Have you personally reviewed that?
Ms. Paltrow: I have.
Mr. Owens: And does it accurately state what you believe has occurred that day?
Ms. Paltrow: Yes.
Mr. Owens: Now, it’s not precise in the sense that it’s not actual video of the event.
Ms. Paltrow: Right.
Mr. Owens: Um, but it- it does a good job of sort of setting the stage.
Ms. Paltrow: Yes.
Mr. Owens: And animating what occurred.
Ms. VanOrman: (unintelligible) There needs to be some sort of clarification as to what part of the animation he’s referring to.
Judge Holmberg: Agreed, it’s sustained as to vagueness, therefore relevance.
Mr. Owens: Sure. Are- Have you seen animations?
Ms. Paltrow: I have.
Mr. Owens: All right. Not every witness saw everything. Fair to say?
Ms. Paltrow: Fair.
Mr. Owens: All right. For instance, you didn’t see anyone in front of you, but you felt someone behind you?
Ms. Paltrow: Yes.
Mr. Owens: So you wouldn’t possibly know, for instance, where Sanderson was coming from?
Ms. Paltrow: No, he was behind me.
Mr. Owens: I’m trying to satisfy the prior-
Ms. VanOrman: Objection, leading.
Judge Holmberg: Sustained.
Mr. Owens: ... Does the animation, uh, fairly represent your story?
Ms. Paltrow: It does.
Mr. Owens: One thing Craig Ramon, uh, said is that Mr. Sanderson was out cold for two or more minutes. Do you recall that testimony?
Ms. Paltrow: To be honest, he’s said so many different minutes, so many times, I don’t recall exactly.
Mr. Owens: All right, assume that he said minutes that he was literally unconscious for minutes. Did you observe that?
Ms. Paltrow: That Mr. Sanderson was unconscious for minutes?
Mr. Owens: Yes.
Ms. Paltrow: No, he was not.
Mr. Owens: Or unconscious at all.
Ms. Paltrow: I don’t know, based on what I’ve heard from the doctors that you can be unconscious for a split second, so it’s possible he was for a split second.
Mr. Owens: So. Were- were you, where were you as you go down the hill?
Ms. Paltrow: On the right side of Bandanna.
Mr. Owens: Was there a reason you were there?
Ms. Paltrow: I just tend to try to, especially on a crowded run. I was trying to ski, you know, a little bit to the side and make turns.
Mr. Owens: Are you in you a- were you being an aggressive skier? Like, I’m gonna go as fast as I can to get down.
Ms. Paltrow: No. This is a Green run with lots of families. Absolutely not.
Mr. Owens: It’s a green run, but it’s not a Bunny run, right? It actually, I mean, it’s one of your favorite runs?
Ms. Paltrow: It was one of my kids’ favorite ones. They were learning.
Mr. Owens: Gotcha. ’Cause it comes down quite a ways.
Ms. Paltrow: It does. It’s a nice long run.
Mr. Owens: And was this toward the top? Do you recall?
Ms. Paltrow: It was toward the top, but not at the top, if that makes sense.
Mr. Owens: Would you have observed, first of all, did you personally look and see Mr. Sanderson?
Ms. Paltrow: On the ground?
Mr. Owens: After the event.
Ms. Paltrow: Yes.
Mr. Owens: And was he unconscious when you saw him?
Ms. Paltrow: No.
Mr. Owens: Then they’re saying Eric Christi- Christiansen, the Deer Valley person, came over. Did you observe that?
Ms. Paltrow: I did.
Mr. Owens: And, um ... They’re saying that he yelled, uh, aggressively toward um, Mr. Sanderson. Did you observe that?
Ms. Paltrow: He did not yell at Mr. Sanderson, no.
Mr. Owens: He’s gonna testify on Monday?
Ms. Paltrow: Mm hmm.
Mr. Owens: Um. From your interactions with Mr. Christiansen, is that consistent with his personality to be aggressive like that?
Ms. VanOrman: Objection, your honor, Calls for character evidence.
Judge Holmberg: Sustained.
Mr. Owens: How many times before had you interacted with Mr. Christiansen?
Ms. Paltrow: Well, it’s a while back now, but I know that we had had him teach my son Moses on at least one other occasion. He was always incredibly kind, very patient. My son was a beginner and frustrated that he couldn’t ski better faster, and Mr. Christiansen is incredibly patient and sweet with him.
Mr. Owens: He’s a high school art teacher, I guess, on the side or-
Ms. Paltrow: Yes.
Mr. Owens: ... one of the other?
Ms. Paltrow: He makes pottery.
Mr. Owens: Uh, there was a early comment about a hit and run. Did you hit and run?
Ms. Paltrow: Absolutely not.
Mr. Owens: And Deer Valley was dismissed on that, uh, was a prior party and was dismissed, you recall that?
Ms. Paltrow: That’s correct.
Mr. Owens: I think there was an allegation that Eric Christian- Christiansen, uh, did some funny business with the paperwork to protect you, his paying client.
Ms. VanOrman: Objection, Your Honor, Relevance.
Judge Holmberg: Sustained.
Mr. Owens: Did you, uh... expect Eric Christiansen to falsify his paperwork?
Ms. Paltrow: Of course not.
Mr. Owens: Agent and representative in the legal world, I can tell you is a little different (Miss Paltrow chuckles) maybe than in the acting world.
Ms. Paltrow: Right.
Mr. Owens: Um, this idea that I ex- when Eric told me to leave-
Ms. Paltrow: Ms. Paltrow: Mm hmm.
Mr. Owens: ... I felt OK to leave.
Ms. Paltrow: Yes.
Mr. Owens: Uh, just comment on that. Was that a cover up?
Ms. VanOrman: Objection your honor, relevance.
Judge Holmberg: Sustained.
Mr. Owens: Was Eric Christiansen your legal representative on the mountain??
Ms. VanOrman: Objection, relevance.
Judge Holmberg: Overruled on that.
Mr. Owens: Go ahead.
Ms. Paltrow: No, he was not.
Mr. Owens: Did you stick around for a while after the collision?
Ms. Paltrow: I did, indeed.
Mr. Owens: Going back to the one dollar. Eric Christian-, you had paid to Eric Christiansen to take, um, to, uh, teach your son how to ski that day for the full day. True?
Ms. Paltrow: Yes.
Mr. Owens: And was his attention diverted as a result of your collision?
Ms. Paltrow: Yes, for a while.
Mr. Owens: And that one dollar of, uh, damages, does that also take into account that fact?
Ms. Paltrow: I haven't quantified, if you break it out, what a Deer Valley ski instructor makes per hour, but I think it’s more than one dollar.
Mr. Owens: The comment was the word “symbolic” was used, but did you in fact lose one dollar or more as a result of the collision?
Ms. Paltrow: I did.
Mr. Owens: Um, did- did you hurt yourself? I’m sorry. Did Mr. Sanderson hurt you by hitting you?
Ms. Paltrow: He did.
Mr. Owens: And please explain.
Ms. Paltrow: Well, when we fell over, my right knee felt like it had been overstretched, and my back hurt.
Mr. Owens: All right, and, uh, you got a massage. But did not seek medical care. Is that what I understood?
Ms. Paltrow: I did not.
Mr. Owens: Eric Christian- Christiansen’s gonna testify Monday. He’s gonna say words to the effect that he heard and turned.
Ms. Paltrow: Mm hmm.
Mr. Owens: Um, Ramon similarly said that, didn’t he?
Ms. Paltrow: I believe he did.
Mr. Owens: He wasn’t focused just on Terry right before the incident. He heard and turned and saw them go- a group go down, correct?
Ms. Paltrow: That’s what he said.
Ms. VanOrman: That calls for hearsay.
Judge Holmberg: Sustained.
Mr. Owens: We’ll let the jury remember then.
Ms. VanOrman: Move to strike that question (unintelligible) Question?
Judge Holmberg: The question, the answer, the comment afterward are stricken, you should disregard.
Mr. Owens: Moses and Apple are coming and Brad on Monday morning?
Ms. Paltrow: They are.
Mr. Owens: Missing school to do it.
Ms. Paltrow: Apple will be missing school, unfortunately, and Moses will be on spring break, so he will not be.
Mr. Owens: You’ve heard, uh, next week you will hear from our experts, but uh, do they 100% support your version of what occurred?
Ms. Paltrow: Yes.
Mr. Owens: And I said, your version of what occurred, but I do mean to say, what occurred. You know what occurred, right?
Ms. Paltrow: I absolutely do. I was there.
Mr. Owens: When they say, did anyone witness this and Mr. Sanderson doesn’t really remember things, you remember things, don’t you?
Ms. Paltrow: I do.
Ms. VanOrman: Objection, leading.
Judge Holmberg: Sustained.
Mr. Owens: Were you knocked out?
Ms. Paltrow: I was not knocked out, no.
Mr. Owens: Do you have memory loss, of the event?
Ms. Paltrow: I do not. I mean, it was a long time ago, but (chuckles)
Mr. Owens: That’s fair. One moment, please? ... Just one quick thing, we’re gonna bring up a Deer Valley receipt that actually shows, uh, the amount paid. Uh-
Judge Holmberg: There’s not gonna be any objection to this, is there? Which number is it?
Defense table: Defense 85.
Judge Holmberg: Any objection?
Ms. VanOrman: No objection.
Judge Holmberg: The defendant’s Exhibit 85 is received.
Mr. Owens: We- we want to protect an address if we needed to, but it turns out we don’t need to. So there’s been no objection, and James, would you bring that up? ... There’s an address there, maybe enlarged, so D85 move for admission if we haven’t.
Judge Holmberg: It’s been received.
Mr. Owens: And then ... Is this your actual receipt from Dear Valley?
Ms. Paltrow: Yes.
Mr. Owens: And, it's- it’s in that binder in front of you if you need to look at it.
Ms. Paltrow: OK. What number (unintelligible) is it?
Mr. Owens: Yes, let me come. May I approach, your honor?
Judge Holmberg: You may.
Mr. Owens: 85. (Mr. Owens assists Ms. Paltrow with the exhibit.)
Ms. Paltrow: OK. ... I see. Thank you.
Mr. Owens: All right, uh, it’s kind of hard to see.
Ms. Paltrow: I can see anything.
Mr. Owens: Uh, the tab between the four of you for a couple- four kids, couple days, nearly nine grand, eh.
Ms. Paltrow: That’s what they charge.
Mr. Owens: I think, again, there's this assertion that, uh, because you were paying Eric Christiansen, you expected him to lie for you.
Ms. VanOrman: Objection, mischaracterizes questioning, considerations or evidence.
Judge Holmberg: O- Overruled. The jury will ha- recall the eviden- or the questioning and the answers before.
Mr. Owens: All right.
Ms. Paltrow: Does that mean? I, I don’t
Judge Holmberg: You can answer the question.
Ms. Paltrow: Ah. So...
Mr. Owens: Did you expect Eric Christian- Christiansen to lie for you?
Ms. Paltrow: Absolutely not.
Mr. Owens: Because he- But he was on your payroll, wasn’t he?
Ms. Paltrow: But this is what Deer Valley charges, so anytime you go and you ask for a private instructor, that’s the fee, unfortunately.
Mr. Owens: OK, and we’ll let Eric, uh, talk about this on Monday.
Ms. Paltrow: OK.
Mr. Owens: Those are all of my questions, thank you.
Ms. Paltrow: Thank you.
Judge Holmberg: Thank you. Miss VanOrman?
Ms. VanOrman: I will be quick, and I promise that that actually will stay the case. If I can find my glasses. All right. Just a follow-up on a couple things you were just asked about. Um. You were shown the text message I think that’s on that board there?
Ms. Paltrow: Yes.
Ms. VanOrman: And counsel had asked you that text message was made before there were any lawsuits going on, right?
Ms. Paltrow: It was.
Ms. VanOrman: OK. So, are you aware that Mr. Ramon reported to the ski patrol that you hit Terry in the back about 10 minutes after the crash?
Ms. Paltrow: I don’t understand the question.
Mr. Owens: That assumes facts not in evidence.
Ms. VanOrman: Are you aware that Mr. Ramon, about ten minutes after the accident, reported to ski patrol, that you struck Mr. Sanderson in the back?
Ms. Paltrow: I don’t think so.
Ms. VanOrman: OK, if that report was made, that would- ten minutes after the crash, that was long before a lawsuit was even contemplated as well, isn’t it?
Ms. Paltrow: Yes.
Ms. VanOrman: OK. You mentioned about keeping a low profile. You like to keep a low profile.
Ms. Paltrow: When skiing.
Ms. VanOrman: When you’re skiing. Correct. Um, does screaming at the top of your lungs profanities at Mr. Sanderson when he's on the ground keeping a low profile?
Ms. Paltrow: After an incident like that where you feel hurt and violated, unfortunately, adrenaline can take over and emotion as well.
Ms. VanOrman: OK. Um, and counsel had asked you about touching you without your permission. I just want to make clear as we. Well, we didn’t do the little, uh
Ms. Paltrow: Dance.
Ms. VanOrman: Dance. Thank you. Yeah, the little dance. Um, but when I tried to reenact it with myself, which is, I’m sure I’ll get crap for that later from my children, um (Miss Paltrow chuckles), it was the front of his body that you believe touched you, right?
Ms. Paltrow: Yes.
Ms. VanOrman: Not his arms, not his hands.
Ms. Paltrow: Correct.
Ms. VanOrman: OK. And when you guys fell to the ground, you landed on him. He did not land on you.
Ms. Paltrow: That’s right.
Ms. VanOrman: OK. All right. Um, you screamed when you fell?
Ms. Paltrow: The- What I remember, the first time I remember yelling was at Mr. Sanderson after the accident, but it’s possible that I could have yelled when we were falling.
Ms. VanOrman: OK. And then you’ve described and you’ve kind of put with your fingers, um, how Mr. Sanderson's skis went in between yours. Do you have any explanation how somebody if you’re move- because you were moving, right?
Ms. Paltrow: Yes.
Ms. VanOrman: He’s moving.
Ms. Paltrow: Yep.
Ms. VanOrman: How somebody could- I’m just gonna call it thread the needle stick. How can somebody, as they’re moving down this hill, have the ability to put their skis in between yours when they’re like eighteen inches apart?
Ms. Paltrow: I don’t know, but that’s what happened.
Ms. VanOrman: OK. Um, you testified that this was a crowded run?
Ms. Paltrow: It was- there were people on the run.
Ms. VanOrman: OK, but you’ve just said when I asked you questions earlier, nobody was in front of you.
Ms. Paltrow: Nobody was directly in front of me, no.
Ms. VanOrman: OK. Were there people in your vision in front of you?
Ms. Paltrow: There were people on the run.
Ms. VanOrman: OK, it was crowded.
Ms. Paltrow: It was- I don’t think- I think it was moderately crowded on that day.
Ms. VanOrman: OK. And some of the people were your daughter and Keri Oaks down below, and your son and Eric Christiansen to the left and up a little bit.
Ms. Paltrow: I believe so.
Ms. VanOrman: OK. Um, and you’ve mentioned that Mr. Christiansen was kind and patient with your son.
Ms. Paltrow: He was.
Ms. VanOrman: OK.
Ms. Paltrow: Very much so.
Ms. VanOrman: All right. Um, you did pay him a lot, and tip him well.
Ms. Paltrow: I paid Deer Valley Resort. I don’t know what the resort pays their instructors, so that would be a question for them.
Ms. VanOrman: Did you, do you tip Mr. Christiansen well?
Ms. Paltrow: I hope so.
Ms. VanOrman: OK, I- Me too. But I would hope also if you’re going to use this in, you'd had him as an instructor before, right?
Ms. Paltrow: Yes.
Ms. VanOrman: OK, you would expect him to be kind and patient with your son.
Ms. Paltrow: Well, he was kind and patient the first time, which is why we asked to have him again.
Ms. VanOrman: OK, great. Um, you said that you stuck around.
Ms. Paltrow: Mm hmm.
Ms. VanOrman: But while you stuck around, you never asked Mr. Sanderson if he was OK.
Ms. Paltrow: Correct, because he had hit me, and I was very upset.
Ms. VanOrman: All right. You still didn’t think it would be appropriate, to ask somebody if they’re all right?
Ms. Paltrow: Mr. Christiansen asked if he was OK, and he said he was.
(Unknown): “He” meaning ...
Ms. Paltrow: Meaning Mr. Sanderson.
Ms. VanOrman: I think you said that he mumbled it.
Ms. Paltrow: He said, “I’m OK.”
Ms. VanOrman: OK. Uh, you’ve been asked a, a number of questions about, um, the dollar.
Ms. Paltrow: Mm hmm.
Ms. VanOrman: You were asked in your deposition, were you not, to your understanding, you’re making a claim for the sum of one dollar as a symbolic (unintelligible), right?
Ms. Paltrow: Yes.
Ms. VanOrman: And you said, correct. Yes?
Ms. Paltrow: That’s right.
Ms. VanOrman: OK. And then I also asked you in your deposition, are you telling me now you’re making a claim for more than the sum of a dollar? Do you remember what your response was?
Ms. Paltrow: I don’t remember.
Ms. VanOrman: You said no. That’s not the case, though, is it?
Mr. Owens: Your honor this is-
Ms. VanOrman: It’s a yes or no.
Mr. Owens: Move to- That’s an improper question. She gave the answer.
Judge Holmberg: Overruled.
Ms. VanOrman: It’s a yes or no. Are you making a claim more than a dollar in this case?
Ms. Paltrow: Now I am, yes.
Ms. VanOrman: Thank you. No other questions.
Judge Holmberg: Mr. Owens.
Ms. VanOrman: Actually sorry. (unintelligible) One more. What’s changed between now and when I took your deposition in 2020?
Ms. Paltrow: What do you mean?
Ms. VanOrman: Well, in 2020, you said, "No, I’m not. Now you said now you are. What’s changed?
Ms. Paltrow: Well, you’re making the- So for me, as I said, there’s a delineation between the one dollar that I would receive and the lawyer’s fees being reimbursed, which is not to me.
Ms. VanOrman: OK, (unintelligible) ... you’re not changing your position.
Ms. Paltrow: No.
Ms. VanOrman: OK, so you’ve always been seeking more than a dollar.
Ms. Paltrow: At the time of the deposition, I was seeking a dollar for myself, and I don’t recall at the time of the deposition if we were also asking for the (unintelligible) reimbursement.
Ms. VanOrman: I’ll represent to you that that was pled in the counterclaim. I could show you a copy if you'd like.
Ms. Paltrow: I’m (unintelligible) you could.
Ms. VanOrman: Do you, do you disagree with that?
Ms. Paltrow: Do I disagree with...
Ms. VanOrman: That in the counterclaim (unintelligible) with my client and how I got involved in this case-
Ms. Paltrow: Yes.
Ms. VanOrman: That you had asked for a dollar plus attorneys fees?
Ms. Paltrow: I am asking for (unintelligible) fees for that they’re being paid.
Ms. VanOrman: And From day one, since you filed the counterclaim against Mr. Sanderson.
Ms. Paltrow: Yes.
Ms. VanOrman: Thank you.
Mr. Owens: we’re gonna pull up, um Key 3, which I think has been admitted. It’s the Deer Valley, uh, report by Eric Christiansen, and uh, for Gwyneth, ... (unintelligible) ... I’m gonna just show you D3 here.
Ms. Paltrow: OK.
Mr. Owens: It’s not the same. Do you know what our, uh, Deer Valley ... I’ll tell you what (unintelligible) ... I have a laser here. If I need it, and some little red thing, did you see this on the first day of testimony, uh, and James, maybe do the top third. This is Chris- Christiansen’s report.
Ms. Paltrow: Yes.
Mr. Owens: It says, “Male skier took her out from behind.”
Ms. Paltrow: Yes.
Mr. Owens: Is that what happened?
Ms. Paltrow: Yes.
Mr. Owens: This report is accurate?
Ms. Paltrow: Very.
Mr. Owens: “I didn’t see it, but heard her scream as she went down.” Do you dispute that?
Ms. Paltrow: I don’t.
Mr. Owens: “I skied directly to her.” Did he do that?
Ms. Paltrow: He did, yes.
Mr. Owens: “The man was behind her. Both were in discomfort.” Is that all true?
Ms. Paltrow: Yes.
Mr. Owens: “During lunch, she talked of being stiff and sore.” Is that a true statement?
Ms. Paltrow: It is.
Mr. Owens: Can we go to the second third now, please? I’m glad you can see it on your monitor. We had a hard time getting those going. ... All right, I’m gonna look here. It says on the right, “There are a- patroller came by to check on everyone.” Do you have a memory of that?
Ms. Paltrow: I don’t.
Mr. Owens: All right.
Ms. Paltrow: I’m afraid-
Mr. Owens: And then the bottom third, please?
Ms. VanOrman: Your honor, I’m gonna object, this just goes beyond the scope of my redirect cross, ec (sic) cetera.
Mr. Owens: Uh, Your Honor, I’m addressing this because she- she was asked additional questions about sort of where, who hit who.
Judge Holmberg: Overruled.
Mr. Owens: First thing, male skier stated was that she, meaning you, appeared right in front of him. All right, did you hear that?
Ms. Paltrow: No.
Mr. Owens: Uh, Do you dispute it occurred?
Ms. Paltrow: No.
Mr. Owens: Thus admitting he was the uphill skier...
Ms. Paltrow: He was.
Mr. Owens: “She never saw him because he came in from behind.”
Ms. Paltrow: Correct.
Mr. Owens: Did you see Mr. Sanderson in front of you?
Ms. Paltrow: No, he was behind me.
Mr. Owens: Did you have a lash in your eye or otherwise have some in- eyesight problem?
Ms. Paltrow: Nope, I still have 20/20. I need a reading glasses, though.
Mr. Owens: Were you blind in one eye and limited in the other?
Ms. Paltrow: No.
Mr. Owens: All right. I think there’s a reference here that given your height and Mr. Sanderson, uh, less height.
Ms. Paltrow: Mm hmm.
Mr. Owens: Less being less tall, that somehow you couldn’t have felt him against your back. Can you just comment on that?
Ms. Paltrow: Well, he was uphill of me, so he was higher than me, and he pressed whatever of his body against my back when his skis slid between mine.
Mr. Owens: Were you standing still when the skis came between you?
Ms. Paltrow: No, I was gently skiing, and he kind of gently skied right into me.
Mr. Owens: Does that mean Mr. Sanderson was going faster than you were going?
Ms. Paltrow: No, it wasn’t an impact.
Mr. Owens: OK, well.
Ms. Paltrow: Until we hit the ground.
Mr. Owens: To come up upon you.
Ms. Paltrow: Yes.
Mr. Owens: I guess he had to have been skiing a little faster than you.
Ms. Paltrow: I don’t know, because he was behind me, so I don’t know what he was doing.
Mr. Owens: All right. Ramon said that Sanderson had his head downhill spread eagle, out cold. Did you observe that?
Ms. Paltrow: No.
Mr. Owens: Was his head downhill?
Ms. VanOrman: Your honor, objection your honor, beyond the scope.
Judge Holmberg: I think you’re going beyond the scope.
Mr. Owens: Uh, your Honor, she was asked about. Uh, I’ll move on, but she was asking about where people were.
Judge Holmberg: She did ask where people landed in her redirect, or recross, so you- you can go into that.
Mr. Owens: Thanks. So you heard Ramon say, spread eagle, head down, right?
Ms. Paltrow: I did.
Mr. Owens: Out cold.
Ms. Paltrow: Yeah.
Mr. Owens: Do you think you would have noticed if he had been spread eagle, uh- First just comment on that. Yes or no?
Ms. VanOrman: Objection, leading.
Judge Holmberg: Sustained.
Mr. Owens: Just comment, like, I did see him, uh, spread eagle, or he did not. I’m- I’m trying to be as broad as I can on that.
Judge Holmberg: Well that’s, that’s leading. it’s late on a Friday.
Mr. Owens: It is. That is true. Was your head, when you came to a rest, downhill,
Ms. Paltrow: We- both of our heads were in the same direction, uphill.
Mr. Owens: So, Ramon said they were both downhill.
Ms. Paltrow: That is incorrect. I- The ski- the expert today even said it was impossible for him to get lift off and said that’s just not what happened.
Mr. Owens: The comment was that you cursed at him. Why didn’t you say, “Uh, pardon me, sir? I think you inadvertently, uh, ran into me.” Why didn’t you do that in a nice calm manner?
Ms. Paltrow: Again, I felt violated. I was upset. My- I was worried about my knee, my back hurt. It felt violating to have somebody press their body against my back. I was full of adrenaline and I was really upset, and I- I’m sorry that I cursed.
Mr. Owens: I think Ramon said something like someone gave him the stink eye, your- your Coldplay, buddy, who wasn’t your Coldplay buddy, but gave him the stink eye or something to that effect.
Ms. Paltrow: I don’t remember that.
Mr. Owens: A mean look.
Ms. Paltrow: I don’t know who that would’ve been, and I don’t remember.
Mr. Owens: Brad probably wasn’t too happy that someone had hurt his wi- his girlfriend.
Ms. VanOrman (with other person, perhaps Mr. Sykes): Objection. Beyond the scope.
Mr. Owens: I’ll let it go.
Ms. VanOrman: It’s (unintelligible) 5 o’clock.
Mr. Owens: Who hit who?
Ms. VanOrman: Objection, asked an answered.
(Unknown, perhaps Mr. Sykes): My gosh.
Mr. Owens: I want it.
(Unknown, perhaps Mr. Sykes): What a waste of time.
Judge Holmberg: Sustained.
Mr. Owens: Three words, your honor.
Ms. VanOrman: Asked and answered.
Mr. Owens: We’ll let it go. Thank you.
Ms. Paltrow: Thank you.
Judge Holmberg: Any re- uh, cross?
Ms. VanOrman: It’s 5 o’clock. We’re done.
(Unknown): Thank you.
Ms. VanOrman: Thank you.
Judge Holmberg: Thank you. Members of the jury. Let me just give you the same instruction that I have given you a few times. So we’re recessing now until 9 a.m. on Monday morning. And so you’ll be on your, uh, you’ll be on your own over the weekend. Before we recess, I need to remind you of the following instruction. Please do not discuss this case with anyone, including other jurors. Please do not attempt to learn anything about the case outside of the courtroom, including from other jurors. Please avoid radio, TV, internet, and newspaper reports on this case. Please keep an open mind throughout the presentation of the evidence, and please do not form or express an opinion on this case until such time as it is finally submitted to you for deliberations and the final instruction is have a great weekend. ... You can step down, and you can leave, too.
TRIAL OUTCOME
The Park City, Utah, jury on March 30, 2023, found unanimously in favor of Gwyneth Paltrow and awarded her $1. No attorney fees were awarded, as Judge Kent Holmberg said the parties had agreed to drop the matter of Paltrow’s attorney fees. According to The Associated Press, Paltrow touched Terry Sanderson’s shoulder upon leaving court and said, “I wish you well.” Sanderson replied, “Thank you dear.” Paltrow issued a statement saying, “I felt that acquiescing to a false claim compromised my integrity.” In a 2025 podcast, Paltrow said, “It was ridiculous, and I have to say that the idea that someone could ski into your back and knock you down and then sue you? I was like, ‘This is everything that’s wrong with our legal system.’ That’s why I felt like I had to fight it.”