The Todd "MJ" Schnitt-Bubba The Love Sponge trial was back in full swing on Monday, after getting sidetracked by a DUI issue surrounding one of Schnitt's lawyers. Tampa Bay Online reports that Schnitt's lawyers rested their case yesterday, while Bubba's lawyers after to have the case thrown out altogether, claiming that Bubba's on-air comments about Schnitt were protected by the First Amendment.

Judge James Arnold did agree to throw out five counts based on five of Bubba's statements, but will let the trial proceed on 11 other statements of the Tampa morning host, including comments about Schnitt's wife and claims that he was involved in Bubba's arrest and legal issues from his infamous "hog incident" in 2001.

Additionally on Monday, former Clear Channel and Tribune head Randy Michaels took the stand to testify. Both Schnitt and Bubba worked for Michaels at one point, and the ex-CC exec said that MJ is "brilliant and talented," while Bubba is "hyperbolic" and "larger than life." Michaels said that when both jocks worked for him, he had to tell them to tone down their in-fighting, as it had become "a distraction."

According to Tampa Bay Online and WTSP-TV, Michaels also said that Bubba did not intend any actual harm against Schnitt, but was just creating "theater of the mind" radio. He added, "It was hyperbole, like a funhouse mirror." One of Bubba's producer, who previously worked for Schnitt, also testified on Monday.