WWE Hall of Famer Tammy "Sunny" Sytch is currently serving a 17-year prison sentence following a series of charges in March 2022 that led to the death of 75-year old Julian Lasseter, who passed away following a road traffic incident in Ormond Beach, Florida. However, Sytch recently filed a motion to have her conviction thrown out, with PWInsider providing a breakdown of the key details.

In her motion, Sytch alleged that her defense counsel provided "ineffective assistance" as it was not investigated if Lasseter's pre-existing medical conditions played a part in his death. Due to the incident involving a low-speed collision, Sytch explained that Lasseter suffered no significant physical injuries in the collision to cause his death, and his long-standing medical history which includes serious cardiovascular and internal medical conditions weren't fully investigated. The motion also stated that the fractured ribs Lasseter suffered were actually consistent with the CPR that was administered at the scene and not the collision itself.

Sytch argued that by not fully investigating Lasseter's previous issues, as well as not having a medical expert involved in her trial to guide a jury through Lasseter's medical history, she would have been acquitted of a homicide offense. This would have led to Sytch receiving a less severe sentence, or even avoiding jail time completely had a full investigation into Lasseter been conducted. 

Sytch's motion also included a potential conflict of interest when it comes to the prosecution. It was revealed through researching her case that the lead Assistant State Attorney, Ashley Terwilliger, was married to Zachary Terwilliger, who was the physician that declared Lasseter's death, and that their relationship wasn't disclosed. The motion claims that her defense should have investigated the relationship and whether it should have not only been disclosed during her trial, but whether it actually contributed her verdict. 

The relationship between the Terwilligers and the pre-existing medical history of Lasseter was cited as omitted and new evidence in Sytch's motion, leading to an inaccurate trial and harsh sentencing that should be looked into further.

Tammy Sytch rounded out her motion by asking the State of Florida to follow some steps to get a potential trial on the road. She requested the state respond, hold an evidentiary hearing, and if the hearing is necessary, grant her new counsel. If these are all met then Sytch would like the focus of the new trial to focus on authorizing a process where relevant records like Lasseter's medical and toxicology reports are examined properly. The overall result Sytch would like is for her current judgment and sentence to be vacated, or be granted other postconviction relief to help her in her current state. 

Unfortunately for Sytch, the motion has already been dismissed by Judge Christian Miller of the Volusia County Circuit Court, who filed an interim order due to the motion essentially "failing on its face." This is due to no official facts being presented and Sytch putting forward more theories than anything, while also revealing that Sytch failed to comply with criminal procedure requirements when putting the motion forward. 

Sytch can appeal this decision, or even file a motion to dismiss the current claims she has made in her previous motion. This is something that Miller himself has warned Sytch about due to the fact that if her original sentence is cast aside and she is tried again, she could very well get a longer sentence than the one she already has. In the initial trial, prosecutors were seeking for a 26 year prison sentence for Sytch, who entered a plea of nolo contendre, meaning that she never plead or admitted any guilt but did accept the conviction, which lead to her sentence being reduced to the current term of 17 years and 6 months. Sytch is set for release in December 2039, though it is unclear if that will remain if she intends to stick with the motion.