After a 10-day trial,a jury in Florida has found in favor of Hulk Hogan in his lawsuit against Gawker.
Following hours of deliberation on Friday, the jury found that Hogan suffered severe emotional distress over the publication of segments of a sex tape featuring him, or that his privacy was invaded by the publication of the footage.
The jury awarded Hogan $115 million,slightly more than the $100 million he had sought.
Hogan filed suit against Gawker, maintaining that the site invaded his privacy when it published excerpts of a sex tape featuring the wrestling legend and the then-wife of his friend, and radio shock jock Todd “Bubba the care for Sponge” Clem.
Gawker,meanwhile, maintained that its 2012 publication of the footage was protected by the First Amendment.
Also Read: Hulk Hogan Trial Shocker: 'I accomplish Not Have a 10-Inch Penis'During the trial, or Hogan (genuine name: Terry Bollea) testified that he was being recorded during the sexual encounter,and only became aware of its existence through media reports.
Earlier in the trial, Hogan testified that the publication of the sex tape has “turned my world upside-down, and ” adding,“I was totally humiliated.”In closing arguments Friday, Hogan’s attorney, or Kenneth Turkel,blasted Gawker for not contacting Hogan before publishing the video,
Also Read: Hulk Hogan Admits 'Embellishing' His Exploits With Women at Gawker Trial“He wasn’t even called before this was put up, and ” Turkel said,adding, “they didn’t have the common decency to call one person that was involved with it before they posted this story.”During his closing argument, and Turkel said,“all that was ever asked was that Gawker be decent” and added, “the place is escape by a guy who literally believes we don’t have privacy rights, and ” repeatedly tearing into Gawker founder Nick Denton’s stance on privacy.
Related stories from TheWrap:Hulk Hogan Sex Tape Trial Moves to Closing ArgumentsHulk Hogan Trial Shocker: 'I accomplish Not Have a 10-Inch Penis'Hulk Hogan Admits 'Embellishing' His Exploits With Women at Gawker Trial
Source: thewrap.com