The jury trial of Hulk Hogan v. Gawker continues into its third day. Hogan testified Monday and Tuesday in a Pinellas County, Florida courtroom. He said that his former best buddy, shockjock Bubba “The Love Sponge” Clem wanted him to have sex with his then-wife Heather. On Tuesday, in case you missed it, while telling the courtroom about the distinction between himself and his wrestling character, Hogan, real name Terry Bollea, announced that the fictional character is more well-endowed than the real person. He claims some of the controversial comments he made were said while he was in “character.”
Hogan sued the website in 2012 after it published parts of a video that showed him having sex with the wife of radio shock jock Bubba the Love Sponge Clem. The video was recorded in 2006 and according to Hogan, it was recorded without his knowledge. Hogan’s lawsuit seeks $100 million in damages for invasion of privacy.
Gawker argues that tape is protected by the First Amendment because it was newsworthy. They claim that Hogan was a celebrity that repeatedly spoke about his sex life in books and television, radio and other public appearances.
Here is the live stream from Day 3 of the trial which is expected to start again Tuesday morning.
Livestream provided courtesy of Wild About Trial/Crime Watch Daily
[screengrab via Channel 8]