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US actress Gwyneth Paltrow Gwyneth Paltrow leaves the courtroom© Getty

Gwyneth Paltrow 'had no reason to lie under oath,' says juror in ski trial

Speaking out after the trial, the juror felt Dr Sanderson had 'his own truth'

Rebecca Lewis
Rebecca Lewis - Los Angeles
Los Angeles correspondentLos Angeles
March 31, 2023
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Gwyneth Paltrow was found not at fault for the 2016 ski collision because she "had no reason to lie under oath," a juror has shared following the verdict in the talked-about trial. 

Samantha Imrie, juror number 11 in the case, spoke to ABC News and explained that the fact that Gwyneth was an actress meant that Samantha felt the 50-year-old "always had to be honest". 

“I think there was, in the back of my mind, yes, this woman’s an actress and I took that into account, but I didn’t feel she had a reason to lie under oath,” Samantha shared. "She’s always in the spotlight so she always has to be honest.”

Gwyneth Paltrow wins civil court case © Pool
Gwyneth Paltrow wins civil court case

Samantha also shared that she thought Dr Terry Sanderson, who sued Gwyneth for $300,000 for allegedly crashing into him  on the slopes in 2016 and leaving him injured, was telling "his truth" but that it had become "distorted".

"He was telling his truth and I think unfortunately some of that has been distorted due to some other factors," said Samantha. "But I do think he did not intend to tell a truth that wasn’t his truth." 

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Actress Gwyneth Paltrow enters the courtroom© Getty
Gwyneth Paltrow wore a grey marl blazer on March 23

Samantha also revealed how she found Dr. Irving Scher‘s testimony as an expert witness to be credible. "He’s a snow sports expert in many different ways. I think the fact that Dr. Scher could speak to the DIN settings and he specifically studied snow science, that he had a stronger opinion,” she said. 

The DIN setting calculator helps you determine the correct release force setting (DIN) for your ski bindings.

Retired optometrist Dr. Sanderson claimed the Oscar winner had caused him ongoing health issues after a 2016 collision. The Goop founder, in turn, filed a countersuit, claiming that Terry was the one who ran into her. A jury decided she was not at fault, after seven days of trial, awarding her the symbolic $1 she had countersued for in return. 

MORE: What did Gwyneth Paltrow whisper to her accuser following trial win? 

Gwyneth Paltrow speaks with retired optometrist Terry Sanderson after the verdict was read© Getty
Gwyneth Paltrow speaks with retired optometrist Terry Sanderson after the verdict was read

In an Instagram story, the actress said she was happy with the outcome: "I felt that acquiescing to a false claim compromised my integrity. I am pleased with the outcome and I appreciate all of the hard work of Judge Holmberg and the jury, and thank them for their thoughtfulness in handling this case." 

The Iron Man star made headlines in January 2019 when the first lawsuit was filed against her, claiming that Gwyneth injured Dr Sanderson and fled the scene in Deer Valley, Utah, three years prior. 

Court documents stated: "Gwyneth Paltrow skied out of control and hit the back of Terry Sanderson, another skier, who was downhill, knocking him down hard, knocking him out, and causing a brain injury, four broken ribs, and other serious injuries."

MORE: Gwyneth Paltrow details shocked reaction to mother Blythe Danner having same cancer as her father

Gwyneth with her two children Apple and Moses© Instagram
Gwyneth with her two children Apple and Moses

 Terry initially sought over $3 million in damages, but had asked for $300,000 in the recent trial. Her legal team claimed that she was struck by Terry, sustaining a full "body blow," and was left shaken and upset. 

Throughout the trial, which began on Thursday, March 23, at the Park City District Court, Gwyneth has maintained her innocence.

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