A Hilo Family Court judge has issued a one-year temporary restraining order protecting 79-year-old businesswoman Lorraine Shin from her son, former UFC champion Jay Dee “B.J.” Penn following troubling allegations of domestic and psychological mistreatment.
Judge Jeffrey Ng delivered the ruling Tuesday after determining that Shin had demonstrated her claims through sufficient evidence presented during hearings. The protective order prohibits Penn from any contact with his mother including phone calls or text messages until May 26 of next year.
The 46-year-old Penn, who wore a black surgical mask throughout recent court proceedings, abruptly exited the courtroom while Judge Ng was still outlining the terms and conditions of the restraining order. Court officials indicated he would be formally served with the order details by law enforcement.
The case took an unusual turn during Tuesday’s hearing when Shin cross-examined her own son about his troubling behavior and accusations. Under questioning, Penn acknowledged making disturbing claims about his family members.
“Do you admit that over the past several months, you have accused me of not being your mother, an impostor who is trying to steal the family assets,” Shin asked during the proceedings.
“Yes,” Penn replied.
The questioning continued as Shin pressed further:
“Do you admit that you had said publicly that your mother and brothers have been murdered?”
“Yes,” Penn answered.
When asked whether he possessed any evidence to support these extraordinary claims, Penn‘s response remained evasive.
“I guess it depends on how you define proof,”
he stated, even when Shin specified concrete evidence like DNA, records or fingerprints.
Shin has expressed her belief that Penn suffers from Capgras syndrome, a rare psychological condition where individuals become convinced that close family members or friends have been replaced by identical-looking impostors. This delusion appears to be driving Penn‘s accusations against his mother and siblings.
The allegations extend beyond verbal mistreatment to include theft. Shin claims Penn stole her purse containing crucial identification documents including her driver’s license, passport and credit card. She also accuses him of taking a safe from her room along with jewelry and clothing. Penn has publicly promoted his impostor theory both through social media posts and during court appearances.
Despite the restraining order, Shin has provided Penn with alternative housing offering him a three-bedroom residence while he remains legally barred from the family’s Puueo property. However, Penn disputes the arrangement asserting ownership claims over the family real estate. He contends he was the only sibling to contribute financially to family properties declaring
“all the houses are mine.”
The situation escalated on the evening of May 25 when surveillance footage captured at the Puueo residence showed a silver-gray sedan in darkness illuminated by a high-powered flashlight beam. According to Shin‘s testimony, Penn shined the flashlight directly into her face and physically pushed her against the vehicle to prevent her from calling emergency services about stolen mail.
The video evidence included audio of Shin screaming
“hit me”
and desperately calling for help from another son, Reagan Penn, who lives in the vicinity.
All charges against Penn are classified as misdemeanors. He currently awaits trial on multiple dates with hearings scheduled for October 20 for two cases and November 3 for the third all in Hilo Circuit Court. Penn remains free on $2,000 bail while the legal proceedings continue.
