Vincent Margera: Difference between revisions
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In early 2007, Don Vito featured in [[Redman (rapper)|Redman]]'s [[music video]] "[[Put It Down (Redman song)|Put It Down]]", where he plays a [[police officer]] with [[Donnell Rawlings]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1555881/20070329/index.jhtml|title=Redman Hopes To 'Tweak' Hip-Hop With Timbaland, Snoop|publisher=MTV|date=March 20, 2007|accessdate=2007-11-17}}</ref> March 20, 2007 saw the release of Vito and [[Ryan Dunn]] starring in a ''Viva La Bam''-like, [[direct-to-DVD]] film, entitled ''Dunn and Vito's Rock Tour''.<ref>[http://www.amazon.com/Dunn-Vitos-Rock-Tour/dp/B000LPS2PY Dunn & Vito's Rock Tour: Movies & TV: Ryan Dunn,Steve-O,Don Vito], amazon.com; accessed November 16, 2015.</ref> |
In early 2007, Don Vito featured in [[Redman (rapper)|Redman]]'s [[music video]] "[[Put It Down (Redman song)|Put It Down]]", where he plays a [[police officer]] with [[Donnell Rawlings]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1555881/20070329/index.jhtml|title=Redman Hopes To 'Tweak' Hip-Hop With Timbaland, Snoop|publisher=MTV|date=March 20, 2007|accessdate=2007-11-17}}</ref> March 20, 2007 saw the release of Vito and [[Ryan Dunn]] starring in a ''Viva La Bam''-like, [[direct-to-DVD]] film, entitled ''Dunn and Vito's Rock Tour''.<ref>[http://www.amazon.com/Dunn-Vitos-Rock-Tour/dp/B000LPS2PY Dunn & Vito's Rock Tour: Movies & TV: Ryan Dunn,Steve-O,Don Vito], amazon.com; accessed November 16, 2015.</ref> |
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===Legal issues=== |
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===Arrest, trial, and conviction=== |
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On August 18, 2006, Margera was arrested at the [[Colorado Mills Mall]] in [[Lakewood, Colorado]], |
On August 18, 2006, Margera was arrested at the [[Colorado Mills Mall]] in [[Lakewood, Colorado]], on suspicion of inappropriately touching two 12-year-old girls. He was released after posting [[bail]] of [[United States dollar|$]]50,000.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://msnbc.msn.com/id/14467904/ |title=Bam Margera's uncle posts $50,000 bail |publisher=[[MSNBC]] |date=August 23, 2006 |accessdate=2007-09-17}}</ref> |
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During a [[preliminary hearing]] on February 1, 2007, |
During a [[preliminary hearing]] on February 1, 2007, Margera was represented by Pamela Mackey, the same lawyer who [[Kobe Bryant sexual assault case|defended Kobe Bryant in 2003–04]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.thesmokinggun.com/archive/years/2007/0215071donvito1.html|title="Don Vito" Dirty Deeds|publisher=[[The Smoking Gun]]|year=2007|accessdate =2007-09-17}}</ref> There was an [[arraignment]] hearing on March 5, 2007, at which Margera pleaded [[not guilty (plea)|not guilty]]. |
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The |
The trial started on October 22 in [[Golden, Colorado]]. Margera's attorney argued that his client had been playing his "goofy, outrageous and vulgar" television persona for the young teens,<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.denverpost.com/ci_7261678|title=Lawyer: Actor's alleged groping was role|publisher=[[Denver Post]]|date=October 24, 2007|accessdate=2007-11-17|first=Ann|last=Schrader}}</ref> portraying Margera as a "benign bumbler", and arguing that Margera's signature arm movement may have been mistaken for breast fondling.<ref>[http://www.rockymountainnews.com/drmn/local/article/0,1299,DRMN_15_5732847,00.html Suspect termed a benign bumbler], RockyMountainNews.com; accessed November 16, 2015.</ref> |
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The jury began to deliberate on the afternoon of October 30,<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.denverpost.com/news/ci_7321905|title=Closing arguments presented in Margera trial|publisher=[[Denver Post]]|date=October 30, 2007|accessdate=2007-11-17}}</ref> returning on October 31. Margera was found guilty of two counts of sexual assault on a minor and acquitted on one count. |
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On the second day of testimony, a teenage boy testified that "he was sitting near the table where Margera was giving autographs and saw him grab at girls who came around the table for photos".<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.rockymountainnews.com/drmn/local/article/0,1299,DRMN_15_5731552,00.html|title=MTV star groped girls, boy testifies|publisher=[[Rocky Mountain News]]|date=October 25, 2007|accessdate=2007-11-17|archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20071028062826/http://www.rockymountainnews.com/drmn/local/article/0,1299,DRMN_15_5731552,00.html|archivedate=2007-10-28}}</ref> On the third day of the trial, defense attorneys portrayed Margera as a "benign bumbler" and argued that Margera's signature arm movement may have been mistaken for breast fondling.<ref>[http://www.rockymountainnews.com/drmn/local/article/0,1299,DRMN_15_5732847,00.html Suspect termed a benign bumbler], RockyMountainNews.com; accessed November 16, 2015.</ref> His sister-in-law, April Margera, told the court she had "never seen Margera fondle anyone, on or off the show."<ref name="bumbler">{{cite news|url=http://www.rockymountainnews.com/drmn/local/article/0,1299,DRMN_15_5732847,00.html|title=Suspect termed a benign bumbler|publisher=[[Rocky Mountain News]]|date=October 27, 2007|accessdate=2007-11-17|archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20071029053659/http://www.rockymountainnews.com/drmn/local/article/0,1299,DRMN_15_5732847,00.html|archivedate=2007-10-29}}</ref> Upon cross-examination, the prosecutor asked April if she saw her brother-in-law fondle girls; when she said "no", the prosecutor "showed her three pictures, one of Margera apparently trying to kiss a woman's breast and two of him apparently trying to fondle women's breasts."<ref name="bumbler"/> |
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| ⚫ | On December 20, 2007, Margera was sentenced to 10 years of probation, to be served in [[Pennsylvania]]. He was further ordered to not portray the character of "Don Vito" in any capacity (appearing on television, writing books, autograph signings) while serving his sentence. He was also ordered to [[Sex offender registries in the United States|register as a sex offender]] in [[Colorado]] and Pennsylvania,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.pameganslaw.state.pa.us/OffenderDetail.aspx?OffenderId=12335|title=Megan's Law Public|publisher=Pameganslaw.state.pa.us|accessdate=2015-11-15}}</ref> to receive an evaluation of his mental health and to work on his problems with alcohol.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.denverpost.com/extremes/ci_7770307|title=Margera must give up "Don Vito" character for 10 years|publisher=The Denver Post|date=December 20, 2007|accessdate=2007-12-20}}</ref> |
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The defense and prosecution made their closing statements on October 31 and the jury started to deliberate the case in late afternoon.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.denverpost.com/news/ci_7321905|title=Closing arguments presented in Margera trial|publisher=[[Denver Post]]|date=October 30, 2007|accessdate=2007-11-17}}</ref> Margera's defense attorneys at the time stated that they "concede he was profane and outrageous but contend he was just playing the role of Don Vito."<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.rockymountainnews.com/drmn/local/article/0,1299,DRMN_15_5735232,00.html|title=Jeffco jurors deliberate MTV personality's fate|publisher=[[Rocky Mountain News]]|date=October 30, 2007|accessdate=2007-11-17|archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20071114095037/http://www.rockymountainnews.com/drmn/local/article/0,1299,DRMN_15_5735232,00.html|archivedate=2007-11-14}}</ref> On October 31 he was found guilty of two counts of sexual assault on a minor and acquitted on one count. After hearing the conviction, Margera collapsed on the floor and yelled, "Just kill me now!" as guards restrained, then removed him from the room. On November 1, 2007, he was put on [[suicide watch]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1573329/20071101/index.jhtml|title=Vincent 'Don Vito' Margera on Suicide Watch After Conviction|publisher=MTV|date=November 1, 2007|accessdate=2007-10-31}}</ref> He was held at the Jefferson County Detention Facility until his sentencing on December 20, 2007.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.tmz.com/2007/10/31/don-vito-collapses-after-conviction|title=Don Vito Collapses after Conviction|publisher=TMZ.com|date=October 31, 2007|accessdate=2007-10-31}}</ref> He faced between two years to [[life imprisonment|life in prison]]. |
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| ⚫ | On December 20, 2007, Margera was sentenced to 10 years of |
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=== Health issues and death === |
=== Health issues and death === |
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Revision as of 17:08, 22 November 2015
 | This article's tone or style may not reflect the encyclopedic tone used on Wikipedia. (November 2015) |
Vincent Margera | |
|---|---|
| File:Vincentmargera.jpg | |
| Born | Vincent Roy Margera July 3, 1956 Chester, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
| Died | November 15, 2015 (aged 59) |
| Other name | Don Vito |
| Occupations | Actor, reality television star |
| Years active | 1999–2009 |
Vincent Roy Margera (July 3, 1956 – November 15, 2015), more commonly known as Don Vito, was an American reality television personality known for his appearances in Viva La Bam, Jackass, Haggard and the CKY videos alongside his nephew Bam.
Biography
Margera was born in Chester, Pennsylvania and raised in Concord Township, the son of Darlene (née Stauffer) and Phillip Margera. He was unmarried and lived in a home formerly owned by his brother in West Chester, Pennsylvania, where he had moved in the early 2000s.[1]
He became known after appearing as a regular on the MTV television series Viva La Bam, where he was commonly referred to as "Don Vito," a nickname given to him by his nephew Bam. The nickname referred to his near unintelligible speech reminiscent of Don Vito Corleone, of The Godfather, as well as saluting the Margera family's Italian heritage. He had previously appeared in sketches and videos with his family, most of whom were released as part of the CKY series and some later featured in Jackass. [2]
As a result of his 2006 arrest, the stunts involving Don Vito were removed from the theatrical and DVD release of Jackass Number Two, but several stunts were briefly shown in previews leading up to his arrest. Due to the allegations, he was persona non grata among the cast for a time, and he also did not appear on Bam's new show, Unholy Union because of his arrest. However, he was in attendance at Bam's wedding.[3]
In early 2007, Don Vito featured in Redman's music video "Put It Down", where he plays a police officer with Donnell Rawlings.[4] March 20, 2007 saw the release of Vito and Ryan Dunn starring in a Viva La Bam-like, direct-to-DVD film, entitled Dunn and Vito's Rock Tour.[5]
Legal issues
On August 18, 2006, Margera was arrested at the Colorado Mills Mall in Lakewood, Colorado, on suspicion of inappropriately touching two 12-year-old girls. He was released after posting bail of $50,000.[6]
During a preliminary hearing on February 1, 2007, Margera was represented by Pamela Mackey, the same lawyer who defended Kobe Bryant in 2003–04.[7] There was an arraignment hearing on March 5, 2007, at which Margera pleaded not guilty.
The trial started on October 22 in Golden, Colorado. Margera's attorney argued that his client had been playing his "goofy, outrageous and vulgar" television persona for the young teens,[8] portraying Margera as a "benign bumbler", and arguing that Margera's signature arm movement may have been mistaken for breast fondling.[9]
The jury began to deliberate on the afternoon of October 30,[10] returning on October 31. Margera was found guilty of two counts of sexual assault on a minor and acquitted on one count.
On December 20, 2007, Margera was sentenced to 10 years of probation, to be served in Pennsylvania. He was further ordered to not portray the character of "Don Vito" in any capacity (appearing on television, writing books, autograph signings) while serving his sentence. He was also ordered to register as a sex offender in Colorado and Pennsylvania,[11] to receive an evaluation of his mental health and to work on his problems with alcohol.[12]
Health issues and death
Throughout most of his life, Margera was obese and had difficulty exercising due to his weight. He also suffered from strabismus, which made him partially blind on one eye, as well as serious alcoholism. According to his nephew, Bam, he also suffered from depression following his conviction.
In October 2015, Margera collapsed in his West Chester, Pennsylvania home and was rushed to the hospital, where he remained in a coma for five days. According to family, he was suffering from massive organ failure due to years of obesity and alcoholism.[13] Despite initial improvements in the weeks before his death, he died on November 15, 2015, from kidney and liver failure at the age of 59.[14]
References
- ^ Bams Radio on Sirius XM
- ^ Auge, Karen (August 19, 2006). "Reality-show "uncle" jailed". Denver Post. Retrieved 2007-11-17.
- ^ "MTV to Air Bam Margera Nuptials". Long Island Press. 2007. Retrieved 2007-09-17.
- ^ "Redman Hopes To 'Tweak' Hip-Hop With Timbaland, Snoop". MTV. March 20, 2007. Retrieved 2007-11-17.
- ^ Dunn & Vito's Rock Tour: Movies & TV: Ryan Dunn,Steve-O,Don Vito, amazon.com; accessed November 16, 2015.
- ^ "Bam Margera's uncle posts $50,000 bail". MSNBC. August 23, 2006. Retrieved 2007-09-17.
- ^ ""Don Vito" Dirty Deeds". The Smoking Gun. 2007. Retrieved 2007-09-17.
- ^ Schrader, Ann (October 24, 2007). "Lawyer: Actor's alleged groping was role". Denver Post. Retrieved 2007-11-17.
- ^ Suspect termed a benign bumbler, RockyMountainNews.com; accessed November 16, 2015.
- ^ "Closing arguments presented in Margera trial". Denver Post. October 30, 2007. Retrieved 2007-11-17.
- ^ "Megan's Law Public". Pameganslaw.state.pa.us. Retrieved 2015-11-15.
- ^ "Margera must give up "Don Vito" character for 10 years". The Denver Post. December 20, 2007. Retrieved 2007-12-20.
- ^ http://www.tmz.com/2015/10/23/bam-margera-uncle-don-vito-coma/
- ^ "'Jackass' Star Vincent 'Don Vito' Margera Dead". TMZ.com. Retrieved 2015-11-15.