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Ex-Wrestler Convicted of Sex Trafficking

Posted: 2007-11-22 22:03:59

ATLANTA (Nov. 21) - A former professional wrestler known as "Hardbody Harrison" has been convicted on charges that he kept eight women as sex slaves in his two Georgia homes.

Harrison Norris Jr., acting as his own lawyer, had argued that the women willingly lived with him to train as pro wrestlers and left in the best shape of their lives.

During the federal trial, prosecutors portrayed Norris, 41, as a predator who used his wrestling business to lure poor and vulnerable women into prostitution and forced labor.

Witnesses testified that Norris, a former U.S. Army sergeant and veteran of the Gulf War, imposed a strict military structure, with each woman assigned to a squad overseen by an "enforcer."

One witness testified that Norris beat or threatened the women to keep control and threatened to throw one through a hotel window when she would not engage in sex with two customers.

Norris was convicted of charges including aggravated sexual abuse, forced labor, sex trafficking, conspiracy and witness tampering. He was acquitted of all charges involving a ninth woman, but still could get life in prison at his Feb. 28 sentencing.

"I think the jury's verdict vindicates the rights of the victims who were brave enough to come forward and confront this man who abused them," prosecutor Susan Coppedge said.

Norris wrestled for the now-defunct World Championship Wrestling organization in the 1990s.

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2007-11-21 20:43:40

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epmd88 05:26:04 AM Dec 15 2007

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proclivity of the 1 , 2 , 3 nature

ezonehondo 02:15:55 PM Nov 23 2007

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Rovofo.......wrestlers are not athletes, just idiotic.

shrga4 10:26:39 AM Nov 23 2007

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the facts are the facts evrybody catching on even younger a waste of space

stumpyjg 10:09:00 AM Nov 23 2007

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hard body was a tough man champion two times and placed second the third time. And had a brawl outside the ring at one of the fights and broke the fan's ribs. Basically beat everybody and challenged Lawerence Taylor but Taylor wouldn't fight him. As a wrestler he was mostly a jobber.

hollywoodeast 08:52:00 AM Nov 23 2007

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I find it hard to believe that 8 women couldn't figure out how to get away. I am sure they all knew how to use a phone or write a note.....or better yet, talk to someone.

Hold on, hold on......ah, let me guess what they will do next.....HEY, sue the estate for money......imagine that!