MTV's "Don Vito" Gets 10 Years Probation in Groping Case

By Jeralyn, Section Crime in the News
Posted on Thu Dec 20, 2007 at 09:18:09 PM EST
Tags: Vincent Margera (all tags)

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When we last checked in with Vincent Margera, better known as MTV's "Don Vito," he was on a suicide watch at the Jefferson County, Colorado jail following his conviction for groping two teenage girls at an autograph signing event.

When the verdict was announced, Margera, 51, fell on the floor, saying: “Just kill me now. I can’t spend my (expletive) life in prison. I didn’t do anything.”

Magera was facing from 2 to 6 years to life on the charges. Judge MJ Menendez today sentenced him to 10 years probation, during which he can't appear on television or act as his Don Vito character.

More....

The judge told him that in addition to probation, he must register as a sex offender, complete sex offender treatment, undergo a mental health evaluation and continue treatment for substance abuse.

Margera will be allowed to serve his probation in Pennsylvania, where his family and friends live, if local officials determine that that state has a comparable program.

Margera still has a criminal case pending for violating his bond conditions and a civil lawsuit filed by the girls' families.

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MTV's "Don Vito" Gets 10 Years Probation in Groping Case | 2 comments (2 topical)

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Mixed feelings.... (none / 0) (#1)
by kdog on Fri Dec 21, 2007 at 09:18:03 AM EST

It's good he didn't get time in P.M.I.T.A. prison, that woulda been crazy. 10 years probation, though a long time, seems about fair.

I don't like making him register as a sex offender...it's not like he was prowling schoolyards. That seems harsh.

Lame defense (none / 0) (#2)
by QuakerInABasement on Fri Dec 21, 2007 at 04:24:22 PM EST

So his lawyer's defense was that he was "playing a character"?

That's a pretty lame defense. I'm rarely surprised any more when I read about television viewers who can distinguish between TV and real life. But I'm having a hard time accepting that a television actor couldn't tell the difference.

The "outrageous, wacky" Don Vito is a character portrayed by an actor who behaves inappropriately toward other characters.

Mr. Margera's victims are real people living in the real world. Now Mr. Margera must do likewise.