Tammy “Sunny” Sytch is dealing with a medical issue while in prison.
The 51-year-old told TMZ that she recently began experiencing severe swelling in her leg and immediately sought medical attention. However, Sytch is not happy with how prison officials at the Lowell Correctional Institution in Marion County have handled her situation.
Sytch, who was sentenced to 17 years on DUI and manslaughter charges last year, alleges she wasn’t able to get testing done on her leg for days despite expressing her concern to prison officials. She was finally diagnosed with a blood clot and prescribed medication but says she’s worried about the quality of care she’ll receive in prison.
Sytch says she’s worried about dying in a similar manner to her ex-husband, Chris Candido.
“All that’s been going through my mind for the past three weeks is, ‘Oh, my God, I’m going to follow in [my ex-husband’s] footsteps and die of a blood clot just like he did because I can’t get medical treatment at this prison,'” Sytch said to TMZ.
“It’s pretty bad,” she added.
Sytch reportedly told TMZ that she may insist on being treated at an off-site hospital.
Figure Four Daily with Bryan Alvarez and Lance Storm is back with tons to talk about including, yes, he skipped NXT this week for RAW, so thoughts on all of those segments and matches, plus the return of Orton and Punk. He also watched the Tammy Sytch sentencing, so a lot of notes on that. A packed show, so check it out~!
Wrestling Observer Radio with Bryan Alvarez and Dave Meltzer is back with tons to talk about including Tammy Sytch being sentenced to prison and her history in wrestling, the latest WWE lawsuit, CM Punk’s promo at the end of RAW, the full RAW report, plus Wembley ticket sales, Match of the Year, MJF’s torn labrum, QT Marshall, ratings and more. A fun show as always so check it out~!
Tammy “Sunny” Sytch was in court today for a sentencing hearing related to DUI and manslaughter charges.
In August, Sytch pleaded no contest to felony DUI causing death, driving with a suspended license causing death, as well as several misdemeanor charges related to DUI with damage to people or property.
The charges stem from a fatal collision on March 25, 2022, in Volusia County, Florida. Police reports allege a car driven by Sytch was traveling at a high rate of speed before striking a vehicle driven by Julian L. Lasseter, which was stopped at a traffic light. The 75-year-old grandfather of three was killed instantly.
Today, Circuit Judge Karen A. Foxman presided over Sytch’s sentencing hearing in a Volusia County courtroom.
Under the charge of driving under a suspended license and causing death or bodily injury, Sytch was sentenced to 10.6625 years in the Department of Corrections with credit for the 566 days she’s already spent in prison.
On the DUI manslaughter second-degree felony, she was sentenced to seven years to be served consecutively with the above sentence.
On the misdemeanor charges, Judge Foxman sentenced Sytch to 364 days to be served concurrently with her other sentences.
Sytch was also sentenced to eight years of probation following her incarceration.
Watching dwi manslaughter trial now.listening to victims family.i can look at myself in the mirror & say how stupid myself & others when we thought it was cool back in the day to drive high speeds w/ a six pack. no saint. Know people in rasslin still racking up DWI. not worth it
Sytch entered the courtroom today wearing an orange jumpsuit and handcuffs.
The defense went first and called a forensic psychologist and neurological psychologist to testify. The expert testified that Sytch scored average or above average in several neurological tests that were performed. However, tests that measured her “executive functioning” and areas related to her frontal lobe showed her to be “severely impaired.”
Executive functioning is defined as “the group of complex mental processes and cognitive abilities (such as working memory, impulse inhibition, and reasoning) that control the skills (such as organizing tasks, remembering details, managing time, and solving problems) required for goal-directed behavior.”
Psychological testing revealed Sytch has evidence of PTSD, borderline personality disorder, depression, and anxiety. Her family’s history of alcohol abuse was also discussed, as was her wrestling history and undocumented, self-reported history of concussions.
The prosecution then questioned the expert. Sytch’s history of concussions was called into question, with the prosecutor emphasizing that her history of head injuries was all self-reported. The prosecution also alleged that Sytch’s current imprisonment is the reason for her depression and mental health issues rather than experiences that took place before the fatal collision.
Another expert testified that Sytch suffers from “severe alcohol abuse disorder” before recess was granted for lunch.
Members of the Lasseter family, including the victim’s daughter and brother spoke after the break about the impact of losing Julian Lasseter, saying it changed everything about their worlds. Many viewers of the proceedings online stated that Sytch was staring at a wall during the family’s testimony.
Following comments from the Lasseter family, Sytch spoke to the court.
“I have done something horrible but I am so much more than the worst that I have done,” Sytch said.
“When I sit alone thinking about what I did to the Lasseter family that tragic day from a stupid decision, I feel the regret and remorse deep inside my soul. I know that they don’t get to rest knowing that he is gone.”
“I know my words are not enough, but please know that I think about you every day,” Sytch said while turning to the Lasseter family. “Every second of every day. And I will do whatever I can to make the changes I need to make sure this never happens again.”
She would continue to say that she believes her downfall started with Chris Candido’s death in 2005.
“I feel that if I was given a chance to change to redeem myself and if I use my resources, my personal experiences, my history, and a little bit of the fame that I garnered a long time ago, I can be a true asset to the community by helping to educate our youth and adults about the dangers of drinking and driving, the dangers of not having your mental illness not properly treated, and the catastrophic events that can result from it.”
“I would ask that you give me the opportunity to atone for what I’ve done and then to be released into society to contribute to it in the most positive way possible. Thank you,” Sytch concluded her statement.
After reading through Sytch’s history of offenses, the prosecution asked that she be given the maximum sentence of 25 years.
Sytch’s sentencing was live-streamed by Fox 35 Orlando.
Tammy Sytch has pleaded no contest to DUI causing death and now faces up to 25 years in prison.
She issued the plea on Wednesday in a Volusia County courtroom after originally having pled not guilty to all charges stemming from a fatal traffic accident in March 2022. Her trial was scheduled to begin on Monday, August 21.
According to court documents obtained by TMZ, Sytch has now pled no contest to felony DUI causing death, driving with a suspended license causing death, two charges of DUI with damage to property, and four counts of DUI with damage to a person.
Sytch faces a maximum sentence of 25 years in prison. A sentencing hearing has yet to be scheduled.
Police investigating the incident allege a vehicle driven by Sytch was traveling at a high rate of speed on March 25, 2022, before striking the back of Julian L. Lasseter’s car, which was stopped at a traffic light. The 75-year-old grandfather of three was killed instantly.
Police reports state Sytch had a blood alcohol level of 0.08 or higher at the time of the accident.
Sytch has been in prison since May 13, 2022, after a judge revoked her bond, citing the significant risk to the public due to her history of DUI offenses.
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Monday Update
WWE
The company donated $20,000 to three Detroit youth groups ahead of Saturday’s SummerSlam.
AEW Games thanked fans on X following its one-month launch anniversary. “AEW: Fight Forever celebrated its one-month launch anniversary last Saturday! On behalf of the teams at @AEW and @THQNordic, we wanted to extend a THANK YOU FOR PLAYING to our passionate community. Your FUN is our TOP priority and we’re listening to all of the feedback you’ve provided! The dev team at YUKE’s Co. Ltd. is working tirelessly to continuously improve the Fight Forever experience with future updates and new content releases. Stay tuned to @AEWGames for all OFFICIAL announcements regarding updates and content in the coming weeks! Stay tuned!”
Screenrant has an interview with Danhausen and Brody King from this year’s San Diego Comic-Con.
AEW has a video package of all of the debuts and title changes on AEW Dynamite in 2019 and 2020 ahead of the show’s 200th episode on Wednesday.
Samoa Joe spoke to PopCulture about his role in Peacock’s Twisted Metal series.
PWInsider reported that Tammy Sytch will face trial for her DUI manslaughter charge on August 21. It had originally been set for September 18, but was moved up several weeks.
Dave Meltzer and I are back for a brand new Wrestling Observer Radio. Co-creator and executive producer of Dark Side of the Ring, Evan Husney joined us on the show.
We talked to Evan about the new season of the show, including:
The reception to the first episode on Chris Candido and Tammy Sytch
When Dave first met Chris and Tammy
If they were missing that ‘tentpole’ episode
If they’d ever do a Paul Heyman/ECW episode
The Magnum TA episode
The Graham Family and why it’s an important episode
What Evan believes is their greatest work
Then Dave and I closed the show and talked about Superstar Billy Graham’s funeral, the AEW Dynamite rating, CM Punk and Collision, Ted DiBiase, and the contract status of Kenny Omega and The Young Bucks.
Tammy Sytch’s lawyer has asked the court to withdraw as her legal representation.
According to PW Insider, Steven deLaroche filed the motion on June 16. He noted the following in his filing:
An impasse has been reached in the handling of the case, making it impossible for the client and attorney to continue to work cooperatively on the case.
The client has not complied with the terms of the employment agreement with this attorney.
The client will not be prejudiced if the undersigned is permitted to withdraw.
Sytch has been charged with one count of DUI manslaughter, one count of causing death while operating a vehicle with a suspended license, three counts of DUI causing property damage, and four counts of DUI causing personal injury. The charges stem from an incident on March 25 when a vehicle driven by Sytch crashed into the back of another vehicle that was stopped at a traffic light. The driver of the other vehicle, 75-year-old Julian Lasseter, died from injuries sustained in the collision.
Sytch pleaded not guilty to all charges in a hearing held on June 1. She has been in jail since having her bond revoked on May 13.
Wrestling Observer Live with Bryan Alvarez is back with tons to talk about including updates on Tammy Sytch and Shinjiro Otani, Dave Meltzer talks Roman Reigns and Kota Ibushi, tons of news and feedback and so much more. A fun show as always so check it out~!
WWE Hall of Famer Tammy “Sunny” Sytch is back in jail.
At a hearing on Friday morning, a judge made the decision to revoke Sytch’s bond, granting the state of Florida’s request for pretrial detention. The state argued that there is a “substantial probability” that Sytch committed DUI manslaughter in a March 25 crash that killed a 75-year-old man, and that Sytch posed a threat of harm to the community due to her long history of DUI offenses.
The judge ruled that there was no reasonable way to keep the public safe from Sytch other than complete bond revocation.
Judge says no reasonable way to keep public safe from her other than complete bond revocation pic.twitter.com/XGXr9vxfCJ
Sytch was arrested on May 6 after her toxicology results from the March 25 crash came back. Police say that Sytch’s blood alcohol level was 0.280, which is three and a half times the legal limit.
Sytch had posted a $227,500 surety bond with the help of a Volusia County, Florida bail bondsman service.
Julian Lasseter was the 75-year-old man who was killed in the crash. According to police, two vehicles were stopped for a traffic signal when Sytch failed to stop and collided into one of them. That caused the vehicle that Sytch hit to then crash into the other:
On March 25th, at approximately 8:28 p.m., a crash involving three southbound vehicles took place on United States Highway 1 (North Yonge Street), just north of State Road 40 (Granada Boulevard). Two of the vehicles were stopped for the traffic signal, with one stopped behind the other. The third vehicle was southbound on United States Highway 1. That vehicle failed to stop and crashed directly into one of the stopped vehicles, causing that vehicle to then crash into the other vehicle in front of it.
The driver of the vehicle who failed to stop was identified as Tamara Lynn Sytch. Ms. Sytch was transported to Halifax Health Medical Center for treatment, and later released after a search warrant was approved and executed to obtain a sample of her blood for investigation of impairment.
The driver of the second vehicle involved was transported to Halifax Health Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead. He has been identified as Julian Lafrancis Lasseter of Daytona Beach Shores, Florida.
The driver and passengers in the third vehicle suffered injuries, but were not transported to the hospital.
Sytch is charged with DUI causing the death of a human, driving with a suspended or revoked license and causing death or serious injury, four counts of DUI causing injury to a person, and three counts of DUI causing damage to property.
Wrestling Observer Radio with Bryan Alvarez and Dave Meltzer is back with tons to talk about including what’s up with Kota Ibushi, Roman Reigns update, NXT touring, Trios Titles in AEW, ratings, Tammy Sytch, full AEW and NXT 2.0 reviews, Rampage spoilers at the end and more. A fun show as always so check it out~!
Timestamps:
Start: Kota Ibushi’s problems with NJPW management
3:50: Roman Reigns update
10:08: NXT possibly returning to touring
12:58: Tony Khan confirms trios titles have been made, AEW returning to Arthur Ashe Stadium
Wrestling Observer Radio with Bryan Alvarez and Dave Meltzer is back with tons to talk about including an update on Roman Reigns, Florida trying to put Tammy Sytch back in jail, Money in the Bank and a possible weird stipulation, ratings, AEW and NXT line-ups, your full RAW report and tons more. A fun show as always so check it out~!
Timestamps:
Start: Roman Reigns taking time off after June 19
3:08: State of Florida attempting to incarcerate Tammy Sytch prior to trial
6:25: Money in the Bank stipulation change?
10:10: Ratings
14:57: NXT, Dynamite, Rampage previews
19:15: UFC makes interim flyweight title match, other UFC thoughts
The state of Florida is seeking to have Tammy ‘Sunny’ Sytch incarcerated prior to her DUI manslaughter trial.
PWInsider reported that Florida State Attorney R.J. Larizza filed a four-page motion this morning that is seeking to have Sytch ordered to pretrial detention, which would incarcerate Sytch until and during a potential trial. The state argues that Sytch had violated her probation due to three DUI arrests in Pennsylvania and has never held a valid driver’s license in the state of Florida.
“The State submits that there is a substantial probability that the Defendant committed DUI Manslaughter when she killed the victim on March 25, 2022,” the motion notes. “The State also submits that Defendant poses a threat of harm to the community based on criminal history surrounding driving offenses as detailed above.”
Sytch was arrested on 5/7 in Ormond Beach, Florida on nine charges, including DUI manslaughter. A police report stated that Sytch had crashed into Lasseter’s stopped vehicle, causing his death. An official press release noted that toxicology reports revealed her blood alcohol level to be 0.280 (g/100mL), a level three in a half times the lawful blood-alcohol limit while operating a motor vehicle in the state of Florida.
Sytch was released on bond after a bail bondsman put up 10% of the $227,500 bond. According to PWInsider, court docuements list boyfriend James Pente as putting up his property as collateral. Sytch will be officially arraigned on 5/31.
Brief bodycam footage of police arresting Sytch can be seen below:
Dave Meltzer and I are back on Wrestling Observer Radio talking all the latest news in this week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter including his story on the WWE business call.
We talk about the Canelo Alvarez vs. Dmitry Bivol fight, recap UFC 274, Daniel Cormier going into the UFC Hall of Fame, and the UFC 276 card.
We also talk about AEW ratings, who the jokers might be in the Owen Cup, trios belts, Forbidden Door ticket sales, Backlash, Under Siege, and Tammy Sytch.
Click below to listen.
Timestamps:
2:40: Canelo loses
9:35: UFC 274 recap
34:24: WWE financials
51:35: Ratings
55:28: AEW Rampage thoughts
1:03:10: AEW trios titles being made
1:08:01: AEW/NJPW Forbidden Door sells out
1:11:27: WWE WrestleMania Backlash preview
1:15:08: Impact Under Siege quick notes, Tammy Sytch arrested
