ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — The Latest on the civil trial between pro wrestler Hulk Hogan and the popular website Gawker (all times local):
5 p.m.:
Trial has ended for the day in former pro wrestler Hulk Hogan's privacy lawsuit against Gawker over a sex video.
After Hogan had been cross-examined for about an hour, Judge Pamela Campbell told the jury that court was over for the day.
Monday was the first day in the civil case brought by Hogan against the news website Gawker.
Hogan's cross-examination will continue Tuesday morning in St. Petersburg.
Hogan, a former pro wrestler who appeared on TV and in movies, is suing Gawker for $100 million for publishing a video of him having sex with his then-best friend's wife.
3:40 p.m.:
Former pro wrestler Hulk Hogan says he was "completely humiliated" by the publication of a video showing him having sex with his then-best friend's wife.
Testifying Monday in his privacy lawsuit against the Gawker website, Hogan said he did not authorize the tape to be made or authorize Gawker to publish it. Hogan said when he realized that his then-best friend, radio personality Bubba the Love Sponge Clem, was involved in making the tape, he began shaking uncontrollably.
Earlier, Hogan testified that he initially thought it was a joke when Clem said his wife wanted to have sex with Hogan. He testified that the Clems had an open marriage.
Hogan is suing Gawker for $100 million for publishing the sex videotape.
2:45 p.m.
Pro wrestler Hulk Hogan says he initially thought it was a joke when his best friend said his wife wanted to have sex with Hogan.
Testifying Monday in his lawsuit against the Gawker website, Hogan said his friend, radio personality Bubba the Love Sponge Clem, told him in a phone call that his wife Heather wanted to have sex with him. Hogan said he treated it as a joke, but the couple — who he said had an open marriage — kept bringing it up repeatedly.
Hogan testified that when he and Heather eventually did have sex, her husband handed Hogan a condom. Hogan said he felt something was wrong, and he asked if they were being taped. He said Bubba denied it.
Hogan is suing Gawker for $100 million for publishing a resulting sex videotape.
1:46 p.m.:
Pro wrestler Hulk Hogan has taken the witness stand in his privacy trial against Gawker over a sex videotape.
For a good half-hour, Hogan, whose real name is Terry Bollea, testified Monday about his early days as a wrestler, including how he struggled to make money as a young man, slept in his car and was previously called "Super Destroyer" before a promoter suggested the name Hulk Hogan.
At one point, Hogan even used his deep performance growl in the courtroom while explaining his wrestling persona.
Hogan is suing Gawker for $100 million.
A six-member jury will determine whether Gawker violated Hogan's right to privacy when it published a video of the former professional wrestler having sex with his best friend's wife.
Hogan says the video was made without his knowledge.
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12:20 p.m.
A lawyer for the New York-based website Gawker says the media company has a right to address uncomfortable subjects, reject spin by celebrities and tell the truth.
Michael Berry told jurors Monday during opening statements in a civil trial in St. Petersburg that Gawker doesn't know who sent the video of wrestler Hulk Hogan having sex with his then-best friend's wife.
He acknowledged Gawker broadcast one minute and 41 seconds of the 30-minute video in 2012, including around nine seconds of sexual content.
Berry says news of the video, including screen shots, was on other gossip sites before Gawker published it. He added that Hogan even talked about the video's existence on national television and radio shows.
Hogan, whose real name is Terry Bollea, is suing Gawker for $100 million
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11:15 a.m.
An attorney for wrestler Hulk Hogan told jurors that Gawker "crossed the line" when posting video of pro wrestler Hulk Hogan having sex with his former best friend's wife.
In opening statements on Monday morning attorney Shane Vogt told the six jurors and three alternates that Gawker officials knew it was wrong to post the video in 2012. He says the New York-based website invaded Hogan's privacy for profit.
Vogt says Hogan didn't know he was being filmed.
The attorney told jurors Hogan will take the stand during the trial. Hogan is seeking damages for emotional distress and for invasion of privacy.
Lawyers for Gawker are expected to address the jury shortly.
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9:40 a.m.
Jurors in St. Petersburg are hearing opening statements in a civil case between pro wrestler Hulk Hogan and the popular website Gawker.
On Monday morning, Judge Pamela M. Campbell told the jury of six plus three alternates that Hogan is claiming invasion of privacy.
Hogan, whose real name is Terry Bollea, is suing Gawker for $100 million for publishing a sex tape of him and the wife of a Tampa radio personality. Hogan, who is also claiming an intentional infliction of emotional distress, says the tape was made without his knowledge.
Hogan is wearing all black, along with a plain black bandanna.
Gawker founder Nick Denton is also present.
The trial is expected to last three weeks.
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8:10 a.m.
Opening statements are scheduled to begin in the civil trial between pro wrestler Hulk Hogan and a popular news website.
Proceedings will start Monday morning in a St. Petersburg courtroom.
Hogan, whose real name is Terry Bollea, is suing Gawker for $100 million for publishing a sex tape of him and the wife of a Tampa radio personality.
A six-member jury will determine whether Gawker violated Hogan's right to privacy when it published the video of the former professional wrestler having sex with his best friend's wife. Hogan's attorneys say it garnered 7 million views.
Hogan says the video was made without his knowledge.
Gawker says the publication was a legitimate scoop because Hogan had talked openly about his sex life before, in forums such as Howard Stern's radio show.
