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APPEALS COURT IN FLORIDA UPHOLDS TAMMY SYTCH CONVICTION

The District Court of Appeal of the State of Florida, Fifth District ruled to uphold the conviction of WWE Hall of Famer Tammy "Sunny" Sytch in regard to her November 2023 sentencing to prison for one count of DUI causing death (DUI Manslaughter, a felony in the third degree), one count of causing death while operating a vehicle with a suspended or revoked driver’s license (a felony in the third degree), four counts of DUI causing injury to a person, and three counts of DUI causing damage to property.

Sytch filed an appeal to her conviction.   The court issued a "Per Curiam Affirmed" ruling, which basically means that the Court affirmed the ruling of the trial court without writing an opinion.  It should be noted that Sytch's court appointed lawyer withdrew from the case because the attorney had determined Sytch's attempted appeal was without arguable merit.  The order on 12/2 gives Sytch a chance to file a legal brief if she felt there remained an issue to argue, but based on court records, that has not happened as of today.

Sytch had plead no contest and asked for forgiveness before the court at her sentencing.  Sytch had an unsealed bottle of vodka in her vehicle and cannabis in her system when she was arrested following the March 2022 fatal DUI crash, which resulted in the death of Julian Lasseter.    Sytch did not possess a legal driver's license at the time of the crash and had been arrested multiple times in both Pennsylvania and New Jersey in previous auto-related incidents.

Sytch apologized to the Lasseter family for Juliann Lasseter's death at her criminal sentencing, going as far as to say she wishes she could trade places with him.  In a later interview with TMZ.com, Sytch referred to the incident as a "terrible accident.

Sytch is currently slated to be released from The Florida Department of Corrections on 9/23/39.  She was transferred from Volusia County Corrections to a prison facility in Ocala, Florida after being sentenced to 17 years plus another 8 years of probation on 11/28/23.    

A civil lawsuit brought by the estate of Julian Lasseter, who perished in the March 2022 traffic incident is currently set to commence on 3/25/25.

The lawsuit, seeking in "excess" of $30,000 in damages, states:

• “Upon information and belief, on or about March 25, 2022, Defendant SYTCH was intoxicated and operating a motor vehicle southbound on N. Yonge Street, at or near the intersection of W. Granada Boulevard in Ormond Beach, Volusia County, Florida. 
• Defendant SYTCH operated the motor vehicle. 
• On or about March 25, 2022, Julian L. Lasseter was also operating a motor vehicle southbound on N. Yonge Street, at or near the intersection of W. Granada Boulevard in Ormond Beach, Volusia County, Florida. 
• At the time and place referenced in paragraphs 6 and 8 above, Defendant SYTCH negligently operated or maintained her motor vehicle so that it collided with the rear end of Julian L. Lasseter's motor vehicle, causing severe and incapacitating injuries to Mr. Lasseter. These injuries resulted in his death on March 25, 2022.”

The lawsuit alleges negligence on the part of Sytch, that the Lasseter family has sustained medical and funeral expenses due to Sytch's actions and that Lasseter's adult daughter has "has suffered, and will suffer into the future, the loss of her father's companionship, instruction, guidance, and mental pain and suffering as a result of her father's death."

Despite her conviction, Sytch remains a member of the WWE Hall of Fame.  While Hulk Hogan and the late Jimmy Snuka had been suspended at times from the WWE Hall of Fame in the past, to date, no one has ever been removed.  Sytch was the first WWE Hall of Famer to be convicted of a felony after being inducted into the Hall. 

Thanks to Richard Trionfo for his assistance.

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