ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) - The Latest on ex-pro wrestler Hulk Hogan's lawsuit against Gawker over a sex tape (all times local):
6:50 p.m.
A top Gawker Media executive says the company expects a jury's multi-million dollar award in a sex video case will be overturned by an appeals court.
Heather Dietrick, Gawker Media's president and general counsel, said in an email Monday night that an appeals court could overturn the case because the jury was prohibited from knowing about "prior court rulings in favor of Gawker, prohibited from seeing critical evidence gathered by the FBI and prohibited from hearing from the most important witness, Bubba Clem."
She said, "We are confident we will win this case ultimately based on not only on the law but also on the truth."
On Monday, a jury hit Gawker Media with $15 million in punitive damages and its owner with $10 million, adding to the $115 million it awarded last week for publishing a sex video of Hulk Hogan.
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6:45 p.m.
Moments after a Florida jury hit Gawker Media and its founder with $25 million in punitive damages for publishing a sex tape of Hulk Hogan, the former pro wrestler told a gaggle of reporters that he and his legal team "made history"
Hogan said Monday evening that he thought "we've protected a lot of people from going through what I went through."
The smiling 62-year-old, who wore all black throughout the three week trial, added that he's been overwhelmed with support by fans.
"Everywhere I show up people treat me like I'm still the champ," he said.
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5:45 p.m.
A jury has hit Gawker Media with $15 million in punitive damages and its owner with $10 million, adding to the $115 million it awarded last week for publishing a sex video of Hulk Hogan.
The jury returned its decision Monday.
From the size of the punitive award, it was clear that the jury wanted to punish Gawker even more.
During brief arguments Monday, Gawker's lawyer pleaded that the Friday verdict is already "debilitating" for the company.
Hogan's attorney said jurors were in a position to "send a message" and deter others.
Friday's $115 million award was for economic harm and emotional distress. Monday's award, in the words of Hogan attorney Kenneth Turkel, was to punish recklessness and to send a message to other media companies.
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1:50 p.m.
Jurors in the Hulk Hogan sex tape lawsuit are considering whether to award punitive damages against Gawker Media.
After hearing briefly from lawyers from Gawker and Hogan on Monday afternoon, the jury began deliberating.
Hogan sued Gawker after it posted a video of him having sex with his then-best friend's wife. Hogan said he didn't know he was being taped. Whatever the jury decides on punitive damages, it's clear the case isn't over. Gawker has already said it would appeal.
On Friday, the jury awarded Hogan $115 million for economic harm and emotional distress.
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1:15 p.m.
Lawyers are making opening statements as a jury begins considering whether to levy punitive damages against Gawker Media in Hulk Hogan's sex tape lawsuit.
Jurors returned to a Florida courtroom Monday in a case that's being closely watched by media lawyers and privacy advocates.
Hogan sued Gawker after it posted a video of him having sex with his then-best friend's wife. Hogan said he didn't know he was being taped. Whatever the jury decides on punitive damages, it's clear the case isn't over. Gawker has already said it would appeal.
Still, Hogan was happy. He wouldn't speak to reporters when he left court Friday, but he took to Twitter to express his feelings.
In one tweet, he told his 1.4 million followers, "Told ya I was gonna slam another giant."
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8 a.m.
Jurors will consider punitive damages against Gawker Media after already awarding former professional wrestler Hulk Hogan $115 million in a lawsuit over a sex tape.
Jurors will return to court Monday in a case that's being closely watched by media lawyers and privacy advocates.
Hogan sued Gawker after it posted a video of him having sex with his then-best friend's wife. Hogan said he didn't know he was being taped. Whatever the jury decides on punitive damages, it's clear the case isn't over. Gawker has already said it would appeal.
Still, Hogan was happy. While he wouldn't speak to reporters when he left court Friday, he took to Twitter to express his feelings.
In one tweet, he told his 1.4 million followers, "Told ya I was gonna slam another giant."
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