– Opening statements got underway this morning in the civil trial between pro wrestler Hulk Hogan and a popular news website.
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Even worse, he said, TMZ told him that the recording revealed how his now-ex pal, radio shock-jock “Bubba the Love Sponge”, was involved in recording Hogan having sex with his then-wife, Heather Clem.
Bubba Clem permitted Hogan, once a close friend, to have sex with his wife. He described the couple as having an open marriage.
Gawker posted only two minutes of the video in an articled titled, “Even for a Minute, Watching Hulk Hogan Have Sex in a Canopy Bed is Not Safe For Work but Watch it Anyway”, which included an explanation of the video’s contents.
“I’m torn, my family is torn”, Hogan, whose real name is Terry Bollea, said during the emotional testimony. Hogan claimed the leaked tape was an invasion of privacy that went on to damage in his personal life and professional career. Hogan testified that he didn’t watch the video when he discovered its existence; during a media interview he said he did.
Like Erin, Bollea says that he had no idea that he was being filmed.
Going in court by his legal name, Terry Bollea, the wrestler wore a signature bandana with a black suit and a cross necklace.
Well let me tell you something, brother!
“It gives you artistic liberty when you’re Hulk Hogan to be a character”, he added.
Both sides in Hogan’s privacy lawsuit have portrayed him as a hero to little kids, a well-known entertainment figure and an American icon.
In 2006, Hogan had sex with Heather Clem, the wife of radio personality, Bubba “The Love Sponge” Clem.
The 30-minute video was originally edited to three minutes, then 1:41, only nine seconds of which is sex, Berry said.
Maybe it’s high time that the country examines whether it’s doing us much good to know as much about one another as we seem to these days. Hogan’s attorneys say it garnered 7 million views.
“Gawker Media has made a business of predatory journalism, violating people’s rights to make a buck”, stated Tarantino’s lawsuit, and it’s a description the site appears to hold proudly.
After opening statements on Monday, Hogan’s attorney, David Houston, said in a statement, “To this day they have no concern or shame as to their conduct but rather offer the weakest of justifications as it surrounds what amounts to pandering to the very issues that cause us to be present in court”.
Gawker says its action is protected under the First Amendment of the US Constitution, because it was reporting on a celebrity who had publicly discussed his sex life.
“Mr. Denton grew up with parents who’ve seen first-hand what happens when speech is suppressed”, Berry said.
Mr Berry said the company had not made any money directly from the video, because no advertising had been attached to it.
“This is what qualifies as news at Gawker”, he said.
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Gawker founder Nick Denton was also in attendance.
