A Florida jury today ordered Gawker Media to pay $115 million for publishing a sex tape showing Terry Bollea, also known as Hulk Hogan, having sex with his friend’s wife.
The case, which pitted freedom of the press against a celebrity’s right to privacy, has been closely watched but the verdict was reached last night. Gawker’s lawyers argued that although some jurors might find the website’s actions distasteful, freedom of the press was more important than Hogan’s privacy.
After deliberating for six hours, the Florida jury awarded Hogan $60m for emotional distress and $55m for economic damages. Hogan, real name Terry Bollea , could also be set to receive an additional payout when the jury reconvenes on Monday to consider punitive damages.
“This is not only his victory today, but also anyone else who’s been victimised by tabloid journalism,” Hogan’s lawyer David Houston said outside the courtroom. The wrestler has been making headlines in recent months, the WWE cut ties with him in July after he was recorded using racial slurs, but he was quick to tweet his reaction following the verdict.
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