Nick Bollea sentenced to 8 months in county jail

[irish_blue69]

Bollea entered a plea of no contest in court Friday, meaning the judge had complete leeway in his sentencing. (Slideshow- 19 photos)

PINELLAS COUNTY (Bay News 9) -- Nick Bollea, also known as Nick Hogan, was sentenced on Friday to eight months in jail on the charge of felony reckless driving involving serious bodily injury.
On August 26, 2007 Bollea was driving a Toyota Supra with his friend John Graziano when he crashed into a palm tree in Clearwater.
Graziano suffered severe brain injuries.
Doctors had to remove part of Graziano's brain. His attorneys say Graziano still remains semi-conscious in the hospital and will need care for the rest of his life.
John Graziano's father, Ed, recommended a year of jail time. His mother, Debbie, wanted at least six months.
Bollea's father, Terry, also known as Hulk Hogan, spoke on behalf of his son.
"I understand how devastating this unfortunate situation has been to the whole Graziano family," Terry Bollea said. "What many people really don't understand, although it really pales in comparison, to the heartache the Grazianos have felt, our family has been devastated and pretty much torn apart by this situation also."
Terry Bollea said media has unfairly attacked his son because of his on-air personality. The Bollea family has starred in a reality show called "Hogan Knows Best."
"A lot of stuff that has been spoken to you as fact is not true," Bollea told the judge.
Nick Bollea also spoke to the judge on his own behalf.
"I feel terrible about it," he said. "I would like to apologize to the Grazianos and also to my family."
"I'll never, ever be able to tell John 'sorry' enough times to make up for what happened on Aug. 26," he said. "I loved John to death. He was like my older brother and my best friend."
"I'm ready to take my punishment," Bollea told the judge.

Nick Bollea spoke on his own behalf before the judge sentenced him.

Bollea's attorney, Sandy Weinberg, said that as a first offender and a minor Bollea should not be adjudicated a felon. Weinberg also said that Bollea understood the seriousness of the charges against him.
"Nick has shown remorse and accepted responsibility," he said. "Nick has demonstrated that he is deeply affected by the accident and is remorseful."
Judge Philip Federico withheld adjudication on the felony charge, meaning Bollea was not formally found guilty and could possibly have his record cleared at a later date.
The judge said he disagreed with the characterization of the incident as an accident.
"That accident could have been avoided," he said. "I would characterize it as a series of conscious choices."
Bollea's attorney said Nick was happy with the sentence.
"He wanted it over," said Nick Bollea's attorney Kevin Hayslett. "This was out of respect for his friend John. He wanted resolution and as he was leaving into the jail he said 'please tell everybody I'm happy with the sentence.'"
Bollea's other punishments

• Five years probation
• 500 hours of community service, with credit for hours he's already done
• No alcohol during the term of his probation
• Driver's license suspension for three years
• DUI school and advanced defensive driving school

Reasons behind the plea

Bay News 9 Legal expert Joe Episcopo said the felony case against Bollea was too strong, and that's why he decided to plead no contest.
"You know you can't win a trial," Episcopo said. "You don't like the offer by the state. So, the middle ground is to see what you can get from the court."
"In an open plea you're basically exposing yourself to the maximum sentence, which is five-years in this case."
Bollea's driving history also was taken into account during sentencing. Less than a year before the accident, the 17-year-old got four speeding tickets.
"He seems to drive as fast as he wants, whenever he wants and it's caught up with him," Episcopo said.
The first speeding ticket was for going 115 mph in a 70 mph zone. Then 57 in a 30. Followed by a 106 in a 70.
Two weeks before the crash Bollea got another speeding ticket for going 82 mph in 45 mph construction zone in Pinellas Park.
Tune to the News section on Bay News 9 On Demand, channel 342, for more stories on Nick Bollea

Bollea sentenced to 8 months in county jail - Bay News 9

[AT3Weins]

He should have done a year minimum. I doubt he'll learn anything from this. If he wasn't the son of Hulk Hogan I bet he would've gotten a stiffer punishment.

[irish_blue69]

Yeah, I agree with you. It amazes me how the people with money and prestige can get away with almost anything. Sometimes I think that the more money you have the less common sense you have.