The Florida jury that awarded Hulk Hogan $115 million in damages didn’t have an opportunity to review documents that Gawker feels were important to its case.
Nearly a thousand pages of documents that had been previously sealed were released to the public on Friday before the jury returned its verdict. The documents raise questions about statements Hogan and other key witnesses made throughout the case, according to CNNMoney.
The documents are expected to be a key part of Gawker’s expected appeal as they reportedly question Hogan’s motive for filing the lawsuit.
The jury ruled that Hogan suffered severe emotional distress over the publication of segments of a tape that featured him having sex with a friend’s wife, and that his privacy was invaded by the publication of the footage.
The unsealed records also suggest that Hogan’s sex-tape partner, Heather Cole, was aware she was being recorded which contradicts her sworn testimony.
Other documents the jury didn’t get to review detail an alleged extortion attempt against Hogan that may reveal he was aware he was being recorded.
CNNMoney reported that Gawker feels the documents could cast doubt on the Hogan’s claim that he suffered emotional distress. The same jurors will return to court Monday to add on any “punitive damages” to Hogan’s already massive $115 million legal judgment.