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Bollea Released From Jail

News Channel 8 photo

Nick Bollea is greeted by his sister, Brooke, as he leaves the Pinellas County Jail about 12:30 a.m. today.

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TBO.com

The Tampa Tribune

Published: October 22, 2008

The son of wrestler Hulk Hogan walked out of the Pinellas County Jail about 12:30 a.m. Tuesday. Nick Bollea had served 166 days of his eight-month sentence for pleading no contest to a reckless driving charge.

The 18-year-old said nothing as photographers snapped pictures of him leaving.

His sister, Brooke, ran up and hugged him before the two got into a sport utility vehicle.

Bollea's mother, Linda, released a statement shortly before 7:30 a.m. Tuesday asking for privacy.

"This is our time as a family to come together to support Nick's adjustment back into the public life keeping it as normal as possible. Neither Nick, nor we as a family, has any interest in making this anything but private. We respect the media's role and only ask that they respect our privacy.

"Nick went into prison as a juvenile and has experienced something that will mold and affect him for the rest of his adult life. His focus is to make a positive difference in this world, media free. Since his future actions will speak louder than any words, there is no need to speak to the media at this time," the statement says.

THE BACK STORY

In August 2007, police say, Nick Bollea was street racing in Clearwater and lost control of his car. His friend and passenger, John Graziano, remains hospitalized and will need medical care for the rest of his life.

In March, Graziano's guardian sued the Bolleas for alleged negligence leading to the car crash. Attorney George Tragos says a recent attempt at mediation failed.

Bollea has said he wanted his own reality television show after appearing on his father's show, "Hogan Knows Best."
Tragos says the Graziano family feels the Hogans are exploiting Nick's friend.

"It's awful Nick is going to get a reality show because he went to jail because of the permanent harm he caused another human being," Tragos said.

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