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Apologies, Accusations Aside, Jail For Bollea
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Published: May 10, 2008
Updated: 05/10/2008 12:45 am
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CLEARWATER - Two portraits of Nick Bollea emerged Friday before a judge decided what punishment the teenager should get for a car wreck that left his passenger with brain damage.
In one, Bollea was an immature speed freak who never owned up to his actions and skateboarded through the halls of Bayfront Medical Center while John Graziano fought for his life in intensive care.
Nick Bollea
In the other, Bollea was a sensitive 17-year-old who didn't drive after the wreck, even though he could have, and who decided on his own to work with a charity devoted to brain trauma research.
In the end, he was just another defendant in the criminal justice system sentenced to county jail.
Not long after he turned to the Graziano family in a packed courtroom, apologizing for what had happened, he removed his belt at the command of a courthouse bailiff and rolled his fingers in dark ink for prints.
After a hearing of more than two hours - in which members of the Bollea and Graziano families spoke of Nick's behavior - Pinellas-Pasco Circuit Judge Philip Federico sentenced him to eight months in Pinellas County Jail.
Federico also sentenced him to five years of probation and 500 hours of community service. As a condition, the judge said Bollea can't buy his way out of the time with cash.
Bollea also can't drink alcohol for five years. Bollea was found to have alcohol in his system after the Aug. 26 wreck that left Graziano, now 23, with a severe brain injury, said Assistant State Attorney Scott Rosenwasser.
Federico also ordered that Bollea's driver's license be revoked for three years and that he attend DUI and driving classes.
He was facing up to five years in prison.
The Pinellas-Pasco State Attorney's Office took no position when one of Bollea's attorneys, Kevin Hayslett, offered a no-contest plea, as opposed to a guilty one, to the charge filed in November, reckless driving involving serious bodily injury.
Federico accepted it.
Then, after much hand-wringing, Federico decided to withhold adjudication of guilt - meaning Bollea doesn't have to describe himself as a convicted felon and can try to have his record sealed.
The withhold does not buttress the plaintiffs of a civil lawsuit related to a crime the same way an adjudication of guilt would, lawyers agree.
The guardian for Graziano has filed such a lawsuit against Bollea and his parents, famed former wrestler Hulk Hogan and Hogan's estranged wife, Linda Bollea.
"A no-contest plea with a withhold prevents it from being used in the civil case," Hayslett said outside court.
George Tragos, who is representing John Graziano in the civil lawsuit, downplayed the withhold, saying it doesn't do anything for Hogan and Linda Bollea, who stand to lose the most. "Nick doesn't have any assets," Tragos said.
Federico wants to see what progress has been made in settling the lawsuit by Nov. 12, when there is a hearing scheduled on the issue of restitution. In the civil lawsuit, the Graziano family is seeking millions.
In the courtroom, the Bollea and Graziano families sat across the aisle from one another in the spectator section, each in a front row. At his defense table, Nick was wearing a silver jacket, gray pants, a blue shirt and a silver-blue tie.
The Graziano family did not seek a sentence in prison. Most of the family wanted a 6-month sentence in jail, although Graziano's father, Edward, wanted a year, Rosenwasser said.
Rosenwasser then asked that the judge, along with Bollea and his attorneys, watch video footage of Graziano's family trying to interact with him at the James A. Haley Veterans' Hospital in Tampa. Graziano is in a semiconscious state. Part of his frontal lobe has been removed.
Rosenwasser also reiterated the facts of the case - that Bollea was racing with friend Danny Jacobs before the wreck, that the street was wet at the time and that the souped-up Toyota Supra he was driving was going 69 mph before it crashed backward into a palm tree.
He also ran through Bollea's speeding history - including the day he was stopped twice in a Mercedes-Benz along Alligator Alley, with his father riding as a passenger.
Before sentencing, members of the Graziano family told heartbreaking stories about John's condition.
They wanted the judge to find Bollea guilty, to leave a record of what happened.
Edward Graziano spoke of his son's service in Iraq, and the half-dozen metals he received for his service.
"What al-Qaida could not do to my son, Nick Bollea did in a matter of minutes," he said.
"Nick has shown no remorse for what he has done to my son's life," Graziano said.
Bollea skateboarded through hospital hallways and shot toy guns, he said. "When he visited, he had an emotionless face."
Debbie Graziano, John's mother, also spoke.
"Every day I go to see my son John, I jump with excitement if he moves his eye toward me. No mother should have to live like this the rest of her life," she said.
'Nick's Had A Lot Of Growing Up'
The Bollea family, in contrast, spoke of Graziano as more a member of their family than of the Grazianos. They said Bollea and Graziano were like brothers. They said Nick had been unfairly attacked. And they asked the judge not to make him a convicted felon.
Hulk Hogan, dressed in a black suit and his customary head wrap, this time in black, recalled how there had been an understanding between the families in the wake of the wreck, but that the relationship has deteriorated. Still, he has noticed a positive change in his son's demeanor.
"Nick's had a lot of growing up over the last eight months," Hogan said. Father and son have talked extensively about what happened, and hold out hope for a recovery for Graziano, Hogan said. "We pray to Jesus Christ for total 100 percent healing," he said.
"Nick is going to have to live with this experience for the rest of his life," Hogan said. "I don't want him treated more harshly because of who his dad is."
Linda Bollea, who is in the middle of a bitter divorce with Hogan, echoed his remarks.
"He is deeply saddened that he doesn't have his friend around anymore," she said. "I know if he had a choice, he would have traded places with John, he loves him so much."
One of her son's attorneys, Sandy Weinberg, noted how Hogan, whose real name is Terry Bollea, and Linda Bollea have helped the Graziano family financially. They paid for Debbie Graziano to live in a condominium for a year, helped so Michael Graziano could continue his education, and paid for a hotel room for Edward Graziano.
Bollea Sought Out A Charity
In a memorandum Nick Bollea's attorneys filed as part of the sentencing, they note how Bollea sought out the National Wave charity in Freedom, Pa., when he learned it had a special focus on raising funds for victims of brain injury. His father is a spokesman for National Wave.
Bollea helped raise $60,000 for a fund that is named in part for Graziano, the memorandum says. Sean Chumura, the chairman of National Wave, told the judge some of that money has gone to Graziano. Rosenwasser later said this was the first the family was hearing of it.
Weinberg also said Bollea could have driven after the wreck, but decided not to.
From a stand toward the front of the courtroom, Bollea turned to the Graziano family to apologize.
"I will never be able to say I'm sorry enough and I will never be able to say sorry to John enough," he said. "I genuinely mean that."
Reporter Stephen Thompson can be reached at (727) 451-2336 or spthompson@tampatrib.com.
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Reader Comments
Posted by ( MALLYBOO47 ) on May 10, 2008 at 1:03 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
I do feel that the punishment fits. I know most of you don't agree but I saw Nick and his entire family at Bayfront everyday after the accident. I mean everyday for hours and hours. i saw this because my 19 year old nephew was admitted just days before to the same floor. So I saw first hand the suffering Nick felt; you could see it in his face. The "Hogans" and the family of John were all so kind. I saw Linda helping people find there way through that maze they call BMC. Brooke and Nick were very nice and you could tell they were all devastated by what had happen. John got in that car on his own and there was a tragic accident that could happen to anyone of us(most of us have made a bad decision on the road at one time). I don't feel because they had been TV made a difference to them: maybe to everyone watching and reading the news it did. They were just normal people to me that had just been in a bad accident. I think Nick should loose his DL seeing he had numerous violations. I think his punishment fits a 17 year old. I don't think the media portrayed Nick or his family very well during this horrible accident. You can't understand how they all felt.
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Posted by ( politicalmike ) on May 10, 2008 at 1:25 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
Anyone else a little disgusted to see Graziano's father compare Nick Bollea to Al-Qaeda?
Quoting Graziano: "Nick Bollea did to my son what Al-Qaeda could not"
Wear a seatbelt and get some friends your own age. Take some personal responsibility for your actions and decisions.
Punishment fits the crime IMO, what kind of sentence would Bollea get if Graziano hadn't been in the car and he had just crashed?
The real reason 99.9% of you get off on this case is because you are fascinated by rich "celebrities". The only thing that gets off the American public more is watching a "celebrities" fall from grace. If these people weren't famous none of you would care. Your getting your perverse revenge on "the rich and powerful" because they have what most of you long to achieve, but never will; fame, money, and power. When these people have missteps in their lives you all get to rub salt in the wound and snicker and sneer. Americans love to tear their celebrities off their pedestals.
Deny it all now, but it is 100% true, too bad the majroity of people who will read this are too stupid to comprehend what I have written and will ultimately attack me and not what I have written. Now begin...
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Posted by ( reptaddict ) on May 10, 2008 at 2:36 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
I wonder what John Graziano was doing in the moments before the accident. Was he imploring Nick to slow down or stop and let him out, or was he enjoying the thrill of the race along with Nick? Why wasn't he wearing his seatbelt? If that belt had been on, this story might not even be newsworthy. Nick Bollea made some inexcusably ignorant decisions that night and is now reaping the consequences of those decisions. But just because John Graziano served his country in Iraq doesn't mean that he was a fountain of good decision making that night. He, too, is facing the consequences of his decision-making that night. The real victims here are the loved ones of John Graziano who are suffering because of decisions made by Nick AND John.
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Posted by ( Nightbiker ) on May 10, 2008 at 4:46 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
I agree, the Graziano family needs to realize one thing: Their son made the decision to ride with an inebriated friend. He too, bears some of the responsibility. Not that I would dream of diminishing Hogans' responsibility.
If it is true that he skateboarded in the hospital, I'm truly disgusted. That boy has a LOT of growing up to do. With any luck, his little stint in the hoosegow will facilitate that. Use the time wisely, and LEARN, young man, or you will forever regret it. Plenty of life left ahead.
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Posted by ( sneither ) on May 10, 2008 at 6:04 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
I was one who watched "Hogan Knows Best" and did see the "young teen" in Nick,,, he had a playfull and difiant mind that so many young people have.. Fun was allowed to him and he enjoyed the 'toys' given to him...
He learned from life, not his parents and that is the sad part. Parents as his, did not see what they created until it was too late... now Nick will grow up amoung the ones who will share his new home for the next 8 months.. and that is not a bad thing.
He will come out with a whole new way of thinking and hopefully will be stronger for this...
My heart go's out to "John" and his family...
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Posted by ( whasup ) on May 10, 2008 at 6:49 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
When my brother was in head traction from a motorcycle wreck, they had to flip him every half hour, from facing the ceiling to facing the floor. He was a quadriplegic. His high-school friends would lay on the floor facing up towards him and the kids would shoot each other with water-pistols while he watched, unable to move. He loved it. It took his mind off things. It made him laugh when the nurses couldn't walk in the room without stepping on the bodies of teenagers entertaining my brother. They'd shoot the nurses with water.
My parents were always in tears and full of worry, but his friends lightened up the situation for him. Don't be so quick to judge Nick's actions in the hospital. Kids have a way of helping other kids that we adults don't really understand.
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Posted by ( Erin ) on May 10, 2008 at 7:57 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
What a kind lot you guys are...NOT. What John's father meant was that his son had faced W-A-R (the d'oh, reference to Al-Queda?) , people, and came home to be hurt in a horrific car accident. As for the seatbelt...yes, the odds are in one's favor to have one on BUT, I have a dear friend who was saved because hers broke away! She was flung out the back window of a SUV, from the front passenger's seat, BUT...the roof had crushed/flattend onto her seat and SHE would have been crushed to death. The fact that Nick had had numerous traffic citations for speeding and apparently the father was in the car both times, then the mother street drag racing at some point (on a YouTube video?) may have led Nick to think it was all right to speed. So now another family's loved one is left in dire straits because of this and THAT should NEVER be forgotten. What do you think John's future holds now? What kind of Mother's Day do you think John's mother is going to have tomorrow? How is his father going to deal with his Father's Day next month?
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Posted by ( JahShuWah ) on May 10, 2008 at 8:50 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
so many people want nick punished as if he were a cold-blooded murderer. i don't get it.
it was a tragic ACCIDENT.
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Posted by ( spamwitch ) on May 10, 2008 at 8:56 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
While I feel awful about John's situation, they were best friends and he had to have known Nick's driving pretty well.
While Nick should be punished for his driving history, John must share in the responsibility getting into that car with prior knowledge, and failing to wear a seat belt.
My thoughts and prayers go out to both families, as this is still a very sad tradgedy.
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Posted by ( NoleGuyFL ) on May 10, 2008 at 9:18 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
Erin, well said.
The eight months sentence seems reasonable. Not sure re: the decision to withhold adjudication. I'd be interested in seeing some stats of similar age/similarly charged defendants.
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Posted by ( mariposa05 ) on May 10, 2008 at 9:39 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
As someone who drives the Tampa Bay Interstates regularly I can attest to the fact that there are a lot of jerks out there speed racing. These people care about nothing except getting their own little adrenaline fix. I say if you have to put them in jail one at a time, regardless of creed, color, or income, then please do it. I don't care if Nick is a "celebrity" (oh, please!), he's also a little punk who laughed off his speeding tickets, even bragged about them. Boo hoo that he got caught and now has to do the time.
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Posted by ( ladypit ) on May 10, 2008 at 10:12 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
I agree that Nick received punishment appropiate with the situation, I also think the Hogan's should be responsible for all his medical care, even though he is now in the VA hospital, they should pay for his care. Instead of taxpayers money being used. I don't think that the Graziano family should make a profit from his situation, ie: condo for mom, etc, etc. John, I am sure was aware that Nick had been drinking and made the decision to get in that car and not wear a seatbelt. I can only ask the passengers in my car to wear a seat belt, the only way to force someone is not to move the car until everyone has their seatbelts on. So I think everyone should be accountable for their choices
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Posted by ( mleilanir ) on May 10, 2008 at 10:26 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
politicalmike....I comprehend & concur. I don't think alot of parents teach their child the true value & meaning of "responsibility", & by that I mean the Bollea's or Graziano's. Tough break...for both kids.
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Posted by ( ToTheBeachWeGo ) on May 10, 2008 at 10:49 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
Finally I'm seeing some people make sense on here with this story. MALLYBOO47, I didn't see them like you did. But I agree with everything you said. Well put. Politicalmike, I agree with you too. That comment by John's dad was disgusting. Nick is a normal teenager with the need for speed, not a terrorist. I find it interesting that when the accident first happened, John's family talked about how supportive the Hogan's were. Now they're putting Nick down for things he did at the hospital. I wish the best for Nick and John both.
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Posted by ( crysntrin ) on May 10, 2008 at 10:52 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
I thought you could not seal a record with a dui conviction? was he convicted of dui, or something else?
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Posted by ( crysntrin ) on May 10, 2008 at 11:05 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
Have you people forgotten he was driving drunk when he wounded his friend? Anybody else would of gotten prison time. This is ridicoulous. I have seen every other blogger on this site, come down really hard on drunk drivers...why is he the exception?
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Posted by ( urchat ) on May 10, 2008 at 11:42 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
This is a 17 yr old boy who got caught up in the fast celebrity lifestyle. The sentence that he has placed on himself far exceeds what the courts have determined. It is quite evident that he adores his friend and is devastated. At 17 boys think they are invincible and many of them are reckless. His time would be much better served talking to kids and doing charitable works. I am sorry that the judge ordered him to any jail time when time would be far better served in his community. My good thoughts are with both families. The Hogan family should consider reuniting permanently and work with this deeply wounded young man.
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Posted by ( mleilanir ) on May 10, 2008 at 11:48 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
I didn't read anywhere where it stated Nick was driving "drunk". I only read that he had alcohol in his system. Alcohol in system does not = drunk?? So if Graziano had alcohol in his system would that mean he was too drunk to put his seatbelt on?? ...c o m e o n...
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Posted by ( cornbreadfed ) on May 10, 2008 at 11:53 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
Nick Bollea ponied up and took responsibility for his part in this. I watched and re-watched the statements from the family and I feel Nick stood up and took it like a man. I have respect for that.
John Graziano is paying the price for his part-the rest of his life in a hospital bed.
After watching Hulk, Linda and Brooke speak, I was disappointed. I thought Nick was the most mature out of the four of them.
I understand being the parent of a child who was injured while a passenger in another teen's car. I saw the Hogans put the same spin that I experienced. In my daughter's case, the driver and his family never took responsibility-that boy never did jail time. That boy also turned out to be a repeat offender.
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Posted by ( MALLYBOO47 ) on May 10, 2008 at 11:55 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
Thank you ToTheBeachWeGo
I am glad I could give everyone a different perspective on the situation. My heart goes out to both families. I glad to see most of the comments are nice and not malicious. Happy Mothers Day to all the moms out there. Have a great weekend!
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Posted by ( squeakey911 ) on May 10, 2008 at 11:55 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
Unforunately things happen in life. We all make our decisions/choices. Because he is 17, mom and dad have to shell out. Had he been 18, would have been a different story. He was doing very very well for himself at 17 as a drifter. I think he should be the one to have to shell out for what he did. Let him keep doing his charities, whatever it takes to pay Johns bills. What happens if he turns 18 before all this goes to court over the money issue for John? How can they get it out of mom and dad? Nick should be the one to pay all the way around.
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Posted by ( MALLYBOO47 ) on May 10, 2008 at 12:04 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
Nightbiker where did you hear Nick road his skateboard around Bayfront??? Don't believe it!!!!! I never saw anything like that!!! And I was there! I don't know where you got your information? Do tell, please. Like I said before the media did not portray the Hogans accurately. Just know both families were at Johns bedside praying for him to get well.
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Posted by ( flaborn ) on May 10, 2008 at 12:42 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
I still believe the judge was fair and unbiased in this case.I don't know what 8 months in jail will accomplish, except for Nick to experience more serious consequences.
Nick, lose your lawyer, what a jerk. Laughing & bobbing his head while the judge spoke. He's losing all those billable hours for a trial. Why is he smiling?
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Posted by ( NotYourAverageBear ) on May 10, 2008 at 1:46 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
And what's going to happen when good ol' Nick gets out of jail and does this again? Why is everyone quick to blame the victim in all this? I'm not saying he wasn't partly to blame but Nick was the one behind the wheel. Nick's the one with prior speeding offenses. NICK is the one to blame. Ever since this happened, all his parents and family have done was blame John for his own injuries.
I'm sure this won't be the last time Nick will do something stupid and they'll blame it on his age or the other victim.
Nick's parents need to be a little more involved in their children's lives!
As for John needing, "friends his own age". That's ridiculous. Have you ever had older friends? I find it hard to believe you ONLY hang out with people your age. Stop blaming the victim, start blaming Nick.
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Posted by ( woody ) on May 10, 2008 at 1:49 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
Has it occured to anyone that the attorneys for Nick perhaps coached him about his court appearance and possibly suggested the brain trauma involvement? Not to mention Nick's manner of attire and speaking and the apology. And that was very touching with Hulk in the audience with hands folded in front of him.
I could have had a V8!
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Posted by ( abuela1942 ) on May 10, 2008 at 1:55 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
I agree with most everyone on here. I remember what my own son was like at 17. Kids that age think they are immortal, and that nothing bad will ever happen to them. It always going to happen to the "other guy". I think Nick will learn a valuable lesson from being in jail. He doesn't need any more time than what he got. Also, he will have to look into his mirror every day for the rest of his life and remember John. That alone is a terrible and unrelenting punishment.
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Posted by ( TylerDurden ) on May 10, 2008 at 3:09 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
Jail is good. Jail is a great place for education.
I hope Nick gets a few chin assertiveness classes. Weak!
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Posted by ( RobKay ) on May 10, 2008 at 3:52 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
I'm really surprised by the lack of understand about what just occurred. People asking what he was convicted of? He wasn't convicted, there was no trial. The Judge withheld adjudication meaning he was not found guilty of anything. People say he ponied up and accepted his responsibility. No he did not plead guilty, he plead no contest so there would be no trial. People saying there was no indication that he was drunk when his blood alcohol level was double what was acceptable for an adult but of course this did not go into the record because there was no trial, and by the way he isn't old enough to drink to begin with. He wasn't sent to prison, he'll be spending time at the jail where those officers who let him off the hook so many times before work. People wondered about sealing a record with a DUI conviction. There was no conviction. There was no admission of guilt. There was no trial. What don't you understand? He'll be sitting in a jail cell with a stereo and TV and video games and probably wearing his own clothes with his folks visiting every day for 8 months and he'll go home. Thats his punishment.
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Posted by ( sunnyday ) on May 10, 2008 at 4:07 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
Even though this boy should be held responsible for his actions, we should remember that John Graziano is equally responsible for what happened. He is older and knew Nick and how he drove. He decided to ride with him. No one forced him. I sympathize with his family and with him, but I can not hold Nick solely responsible.
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Posted by ( lcastilla ) on May 10, 2008 at 4:49 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
RobKay - I don't think you are accurate in what you said. Just because he pled "no contest" doesn't mean he's not guilty or it won't show on his record. IT WILL SHOW as a misdemeanor - instead of a felony - and he is admitting guilt without a challenge="no contest". Legal matters enable him to use technical terms, but it still will show as guilty, especially since he is being punished.
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Posted by ( TampaGirl4Ever ) on May 10, 2008 at 5:58 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
you politicalmike - just so you know - I personally can't stand the celebrity nonsense. I think it is ruining our world the way we once knew it.
Having said that - I also can't stand that they are treated special. Nick Bollea did a bad thing (racing while having alcohol in him), he should have been punished accordingly. What did they say the victim needed - a million dollars a year in health care and management. That's alot of BAD in my book. Celebrity or not celebrity. In my opinion, Nick Bollea, Hulk Hogan are NOT celebrity, they are just a stupid LUCKY family that got rich off the stupid Hulk Hogan mania. Hulk Hogan is disgusting the way he dresses and look, I mean in the court room with a do rag. His disrespect for the court room was OBVIOUS. No one else in the united states is allowed in the court room with a do-rag.
So politicalmike - you are wrong. Deal with it. As for me - I care about what happened because anyone could've been Nick Bollea's victim, you, me, anyone. Your statements are empty and wrong. Someone make this politicalmike understand why he is wrong, I may not have been articulate enough.
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Posted by ( TampaGirl4Ever ) on May 10, 2008 at 6:38 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
lcastilla - what do you think withheld adjudication means - it means IT WILL NOT BE ON HIS RECORD. He will be able to get a job when he exits county jail.
We only have 1 thing we can count on - Nick Bollea will probably violate his 5 year probation and then he will go to PRISON for a little while. There is NO way that with this light punishment that he will learn his lesson so he will most likely violate.
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Posted by ( chriss100602 ) on May 10, 2008 at 7:24 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
I hope someone bashes his head in while he's in jail, and his parents have to watch him in a persistent vegetative state for the rest of his life.
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Posted by ( flaborn ) on May 10, 2008 at 7:25 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
If he does violate any condition of his sentence, he WILL then have a felony conviction on his record.
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Posted by ( justice1 ) on May 10, 2008 at 11:27 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
chriss100602-Maybe we the people will be fortunate enough and someone will bash your little brainless head in. YOU ARE AN IDIOT!
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Posted by ( spamwitch ) on May 11, 2008 at 12:08 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
Tampa Girl: I've seen you attack many posters on this site and wonder if you have anything better to do in your life. YOU are often the WRONG ONE!!!
You don't know what is going to happen no more than we do so stop pretending with your holier than thou attitude, it is so see through and old!!
You want to burn everyone, but let me tell you, some of these readers have it right, maybe you wouldn't find yourself or your loved ones in this situation, and you know why:
IF YOU KNEW AHEAD OF TIME THE GUY WENT 100+ MILES AN HOUR ON AN AVERAGE DAY....YOU WOULDNT GET IN THE FREAKING CAR TO BEGIN WITH RIGHT??????????
17,,,and left to his own devices...hmmm....yes I believe the parents also share in this.
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Posted by ( onemalefla ) on May 11, 2008 at 12:19 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
anyone notice the 2nd item in the member agreement?
"respect others"
hhmmmmm..............
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Posted by ( Angel_Eyes ) on May 11, 2008 at 3:37 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
JahShuWah - It was not a "tragic accident" NB was Drag racing on public roadways which is not only Stupid but illegal, Tragic yes, accident no - Stupidity - YES - I'd like to se how you'd feel if that had been your son, brother, friend that was laying in the hospital, life cut short by some spoiled Brat
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Posted by ( Kari ) on May 11, 2008 at 3:41 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
What I want to know is when are the parents of John going to realize this was an accident. John was the adult in this picture if he had been wearing his seat belt or had not gotten into the car he would be fine. he was with a minor under the influence it was an awful accident and they need to see that if the shoe was on the other foot John could have been arrested and in jail for contributing. I feel for them and feel the Judge did the correct thing but they should not keep blaming Nick cause he did not set out to injure his friend they were both at fault.
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Posted by ( Nightbiker ) on May 11, 2008 at 5:38 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
whassup, levity aside, a hospital is NO place to skateboard -and from all accounts, this injured friend and victim of Nicks' lack of judgement was and is still, in a semi-conscious state. No way was he aware of Nicks' antics, and certainly would not have been able to enjoy them.
And, speaking as a registered Nurse, I can assure you I (nor any of my co-workers) would not take kindly to the disrespect of being squirted with a watergun. Hospitals aren't playgrounds (I used to say you should treat it like you would your own home, but too many people don't treat their own places with any respect).
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Posted by ( greenbeagle ) on May 11, 2008 at 9:18 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
MALLYBOO47 .... I agree with your post.
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Posted by ( JahShuWah ) on May 11, 2008 at 9:32 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
Angel Eyes: I think it was an accident. Is there negligence on Nick's part? Absolutely, and I think the punishment fits the crime. I was trying to express my disagreement with many people who would like to see him thrown under the jail, that's all. Now, why would you like to see how I'd feel if my son were laying up in a hospital? I wouldn't wish that on anyone. Keep it civil. Peace.
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Posted by ( carl6352 ) on May 11, 2008 at 9:53 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
lambasting the father over the alqueda comment is pathetic. he was right!!! his son survived suicide bombers, car bombs, minefields, snipers, rpg and just plain maniacs. in one second a drunken showboat basically killed him. you should be ashamed for even posting that. this man and his family will live with this tragedy till there son dies. while in a few years this boy and family will probably start another reality show and forget about it!!!!! also dont degrade his service in the marines. if you were in his place you would probably run to canada!!!!!
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Posted by ( kmspots ) on May 11, 2008 at 10:37 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
1.The reconstruction team the "prosecution" hired showed the car was traveling 69 MPH when it "hit the tree" - not 100 that is being posted here.
2. Nick Bollea's blood alcohol was .03 two hours after the accident - that does not constitute a DUI, underage drinking, yes, DUI, no.
3. Nick is a MINOR - if some of you posters don't like 18 being the age of majority then send a bill through the house to have it lowered to maybe 14, 15 or 16 and then anyone over that age could be sentenced as an adult.
4. There were 4 people involved, 3 adults and 1 minor, Nick.
5. The "adult" driver of the other car received 3 months probation - no more, no less.
6. All parents (well at least the respectable ones) all want a better life for their children than they had - if a child is fortunate enough to have a good monetary life - what is the problem with that?
7. It is obvious the Graziano's are not as forunate money wise as the Bollea's.
8. Hulk Hogan is a poor man's champion -the oridinary joe q public made him his money.
9. Hulk Hogan has had John's mother put up in a condo for a year with all furniture and provisions supplied FOR FREE.
10. John's mother went to Hulk Hogan two weeks ago and asked for money for her father's funeral - yep, Hulk Hogan bellied up and paid for the funeral.
11. Nick will go to prison for the remainder of the probation period if he violates and the judge sees fit.
12. John CHOSE to get in that car just as he CHOSE to go into the military. There is no draft. If he would have been maimed in the military, just as so many of our men/women are, would you sue the government? Remember, John is at the VA - no cost to the family there.
Why do so many posters want to throw Nick under the jail? HE WAS, and still is a MINOR. Actually, he had just turned 17. When he turns "adult", it is then and only then will we find out if he has learned his lesson. If he hasn't, he will then be judged/sentenced as an adult, and, guess what, we will all have to hear it all over again. (unfortunately)
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Posted by ( stpetegirl_1 ) on May 11, 2008 at 11:25 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
It's my opinion that it strikes me as being odd that a 23 year old that has served as a Marine in Iraq would come home and hook up with a 17 year old "best friend." What on earth could someone that has "grown up" with such life experience and training in the USMC have in common with a young kid...besides the opportunity to hob-knob with a celebrity family. I am quite sure that John Graziano had plenty of perks and fun hanging out with Hulk Hogan and his family. I am also sure that Graziano's family thought this was quite the opportunity for their handsome son and brother too. It was all great fun for all of them to know that John was a welcome party to the travel that was most assuredly provided him by Bolleas. John obviously knew well what the family did and was an ADULT willing participant when he hopped in for the "rides" he could not afforded himself. Nick was a minor so why was John not charged for contributing to a minor regarding getting in the car with a minor he knew had consumed alcohol -- I don't care where they got the booze. Nick was underage w/ an adult. Why was John not cited for not wearing his seatbelt? Is this Hulk Hogan's fault? I know Nick is his responsibility; but John is a legal adult. Would John's family be so money hungry and sue happy if Nick's parents were janitors? Nick might be a spoiled kid; but he is still a kid! Nick was probably more than okay in the Graziano's opinions before the accident; now they want MONEY so the entire Bollea family became horrible monsters now. John has VA hospital benefits so its not like they are dipping into their pockets for care. I am very sad this happened to John; but this is not about John. It's about the family being paid huge sums of money to break the Bolleas. No amount of money will ever fix John. Had they been reasonable, I am very sure they could have negotiated a fair settlement with Hulk Hogan; after all this was not an intentional assault on John. I believe Nick and the Bollea family that they loved John Graziano & will forever be emotionally impacted by this accident. It was an accident & I am certain if John Graziano could speak for himself, he would embrace the Bolleas. A fair deal would be if Graziano's cut a deal with Hulk Hogan to take care of John as long as he lives. I am 100% certain Hulk would do this because he loved John. Graziano's want blood until Hulk Hogan is sucked dry. It's not about John -- it's not as though John earned millions of dollars a year and now he is not able to work. I am not trying to minimize what he "could have" become.
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Posted by ( stateabuse ) on May 11, 2008 at 11:41 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
The whole thing is another social structure thing. It doesn't even resemble our justice system as created under the constitution. Everybody involved should be ashamed of themselves.
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Posted by ( ceibert ) on May 11, 2008 at 11:59 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
WHY IS'NT THE HULKSTER BEING TRIED FOR CONTRIBUTING TO THE DELINQUENCY OF A MINOR AND MANSLAUGHTER. HE BOUGHT THE KIDS THE BOOZE THAT DAY. WE ALL KNOW IT.SON GETS PULLED OVER TWICE FOR SPEEDING WITH THE HULK IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. THESE PEOPLE HAVE NO PARENTING SKILLS AT ALL. THEY ARE CHILD ABUSERS.WHAT A BUNCH OF HILLBILLY'S.
HERE'S YOU SIGN.
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Posted by ( youngvoice ) on May 11, 2008 at 12:04 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
you know what the graziano family should be ashamed of themselves. an accident is an accident these young kids were racing and i understand that its illegal and shouldnt have been done but whose to say that nick couldnt have lost control of his car no matter what speed he was driving. the bollea family is doin all they can to support the graziano family in this difficult time and still want to sue? how would they feel if it was john driving that car and nick the one who had been hurt? things happen only god knows why.. the reference to al qaida was way out of line just because his father is famous doesnt give people the right to mistreat the kids im not sayin there shouldnt have been punishment but still get a grip people
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Posted by ( ceibert ) on May 11, 2008 at 12:34 p.m.
(This comment was removed by the site staff.)
Posted by ( stpetegirl_1 ) on May 11, 2008 at 1:21 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
"WHY IS'NT THE HULKSTER BEING TRIED FOR CONTRIBUTING TO THE DELINQUENCY OF A MINOR AND MANSLAUGHTER. HE BOUGHT THE KIDS THE BOOZE THAT DAY" posted by ciebert is flawed. "kids?" The only kid in this equation is Nick - I didn't say victim -- they are all victims of an ACCIDENT. John Graziano was a full-fledged adult. How do you know he did not buy the alcohol? Or does everyone assume that John was also Hulk Hogan's dependent? If Nick consumed alcohol, one can bet that John did too. I am hoping that since the court charge Nick as an adult in the accident that only Nick's assets could be sought in the upcoming, unreasonable lawsuit. That would be poetic justice, in my opinion. Hulk Hogan served as a meal ticket to their son; and now the family seeks to trade financial places with him. I'm sure that will make them feel so much better about not being able to enjoy their son's company. They hate the fact that Nick is still a functioning human being. I'm sure if Nick had been the passenger gravely injured with their son driving the car, they would be offering up occasional pans of lasagna to the Bollea family. And you know what? That would probably be fine with Hulk Hogan. Unfortunately, he has money and Graziano's are flying overhead like hungry hawks. I guess this should be a lesson to all parents. Your kid's friends parents' can turn on you in a bloody second. More consideration should be made when allowing any friends to ride your teenagers -- people cannot be trusted & this proves it. For that matter, don't allow any of your friends or co-workers in your car. The judicial system has allowed far too many cases to be runaway trains. No wonder everyone HATES lawyers. No lawyer would take this case if the driver's family had no money and no car insurance to siphon. If this were a premeditated assault on the well-being of John Graziano, Hulk Hogan's money would have already been sent to Switzerland. Bollea is a good human being; not perfect; but who is?
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Posted by ( wheelie45 ) on May 11, 2008 at 1:54 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
I think Nick was just apologizing and putting on a front in hopes of not doing time or being called a felon.
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Posted by ( stpetegirl_1 ) on May 11, 2008 at 2:33 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
Regarding wheelie45's comment about Nick being sorry just to avoid jail time and being a convicted felon: It always amazing me how some people think they can judge another's motive. I agree that he probably would rather not go to jail; but I think he expected it. Why do some believe and make ridiculous comments about how Nick and his family feels? For goodness sake, I don't know any of these people and I feel very, very sad that this happened. How could anyone make the leap that the Bollea family is non-chalant, unfeeling about the grave condition of John Graziano? John reportedly spent lots of time at the Bollea house becoming like a member of their family. He traveled with them indicating a constant presence. I am 100% positive that there is great pain in knowing the extent of John's injuries, his family's pain, their own pain in the absence of John hanging around the Bollea home. It sounds like John had become part of their family so how could they not care or as some suggest that they have just moved on; except for the lawsuit. They may end up being the biggest victims in the entire picture if the Graziano family has their wish & successfully strips them of every dime Hulk Hogan is worth. I wish the Graziano family could imagine switching the driver/passenger that day. No, I wish Nick could sit up for one day and say what he thinks Hulk Hogan should pay his family. That would probably shut his family up for good.
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Posted by ( stpetegirl_1 ) on May 11, 2008 at 2:39 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
Correction to my post:
"I wish the Graziano family could imagine switching the driver/passenger that day. No, I wish Nick could sit up for one day and say what he thinks Hulk Hogan should pay his family. That would probably shut his family up for good."
I meant -- I wish JOHN (not Nick) could sit up for one day and say what he thinks Hulk Hogan should pay his family.......
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Posted by ( TheKemoKid ) on May 11, 2008 at 8:39 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
I agree stpetegirl_1 . Boo Hoo. Two boozed up boys, only one could buy. And, let's bet he didn't tell Nick, not to race.
And how dare a Family use our service to this country, to hang someone out to dry. Everyone gets Medals, that does not make them honorable people or give vulture parents the right to use our service for their own selfish motives. Shame, one thing to act for medical bills, another to profit, Pimps.
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Posted by ( ginger789 ) on May 12, 2008 at 12:44 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
After watching Hogan knows best I felt that the whole family were very ignorant. I am just surprised that their attorneys did no go over the statements that they made. It seemed to me that they were portraying Nick as a victim. He is not the victim. Let's dont' forget he walked away from this accident unhurt. If you watched the TV show you could see that Nick got no discipline or supervision. That is what happens when kids grow up without boundries.And it is hard to comprehend how this young man served in Iraq and had his life ended here in the states. If anyone is a victim it is the Graziano family. I hope that they win the civil suit against the Bollea's. They deserve as much money as they can get out of the Bollea's.
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Posted by ( cornbreadfed ) on May 13, 2008 at 11:03 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
This is from popular celeb website who copied from Brooke Hogan's blog yesterday:
"Monday, May 12, 2008
BS
Current mood: pi**ed off
Category: Life
I know most of the public thinks my brother is some rich little selfish kid, but NO ONE knows the real story and I'm really pi**ed that the truth didn't come out from either side. A LOT of lies were told in that trial. Believe me. And it wasn't from us. John was NEVER home. He was at our house. ALL THE TIME. that should say enough…. Im not going to be out spoken right now, but If some s*** doesn't start getting straightened out, A lot of people are going to eat their words for lieing. I know all of the truth and I have back up. I never know how twisted this world could be but I'm starting to figure it out. And I'm gonna have to jump off my high road and tackle some ppl who are taking the low road. I know you guys don't understand, but you will really really soon. Keep praying. And by the way, before you judge anybody, make sure you really know them. I promise you if you were to meet my brother he would give you the shirt off his back. He's not "NICK HOGAN." AND hes not the person he plays on tv. People are so gullible now a days…"
Update:
Hogan pulled the above post from her blog and just put up this entry.
"Monday, May 12, 2008
wtvr
I have the truth on my side. And the truth will set everyone straight sooner or later. PEACE
ps: yes I took my last one off cause I know itll go around anyway. Have at it ppl."
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