Prominent California personal injury attorney Frederick W. Penney of Penney & Associates and his co-hosts kicked off their July 26 show of Radio Law Talk by promising a “kind of bizarre” and “interesting case day.” During the first hour of the three-hour show, listeners got three stories that perfectly captured the unpredictable nature of legal drama in America.
NY Law Firm Intern Bites and Growls At Colleagues, Promptly Fired
The Unusual Workplace Behavior
The strangest story involved a summer associate at the prestigious Sidley Austin law firm in New York who developed an unusual workplace habit: biting her colleagues. According to multiple complaints, the unnamed law student would “visibly bite people in a playful manner” and then let out “a roaring sound, just like a lion” afterward.
At least 10 people reported being bitten by the intern, leading some employees to start wearing long sleeves to protect exposed skin. Despite the bizarre behavior, colleagues described the incidents as “not aggressive, but more kind of fun,” with the intern characterized as “actually a nice person.”
The situation was described as having a “Manic Pixie Dream Girl crossed with Donner Party vibe.” Co-host and criminal law attorney Todd Kuhnen speculated that the woman was likely attractive, reasoning that “if she wasn’t, there’s no way they would have put up with it after the first bite.”
The Aftermath
The law firm ultimately fired the summer associate, who was reportedly staying at a hotel in Maryland following her termination. The incident highlights the high-stress environment of major law firms, though as producer Cal Hunter noted, “I’ve been stressed out at a lot of jobs. I have never been so stressed out that I wanted to turn to cannibalism.”
LA Driver Rams Car Into Crowd Leaving Club
The Incident and Criminal History
A more serious case emerged from Los Angeles, where a driver plowed through a crowd of 37 people leaving The Vermont Hollywood venue, a reggae and hip-hop nightclub. Eight people were severely injured, and 23 required hospitalization.
The driver had an extensive criminal history, including a pending 2024 DUI case and a 2022 domestic violence case, plus a 2019 attempted assault misdemeanor conviction. He was out on bail or his own recognizance when the incident occurred.
Los Angeles prosecutors charged him with 37 felony counts of attempted murder. The case took an interesting turn when authorities discovered the driver had a gunshot wound to his back after being apprehended. The timing of this wound could prove significant for his defense.
The Legal Implications
If the gunshot occurred before he drove into the crowd, his lawyers could argue he wasn’t in his right mind due to the injury, potentially undermining the specific intent required for attempted murder charges. However, if the wound came after — possibly from angry bystanders who attacked him when his car got stuck — it can’t be used as a defense.
Kuhnen noted that attempted murder cases require proving specific intent to commit the crime, and that medical conditions or injuries could potentially undercut that intent depending on when they occurred.
Ryan Routh Represents Himself
The Assassination Attempt
The show also touched on Ryan Routh, the man who attempted to assassinate former President Trump while he was golfing at Mar-a-Lago on Sept. 15, 2024. Routh was spotted by Secret Service agents pointing a gun through bushes about 400 yards from the golf course. An agent shot at him, causing Routh to flee and leave behind his weapon and backpack.
Now Routh wants to represent himself in court, forcing his current defense attorneys to request removal from the case. The judge indicated he might allow the lawyers to remain as consultants while Routh handles his own defense — a scenario the hosts described as “the nightmare” for everyone involved.
Self-Representation Challenges
This follows the recent case of Lori Vallow Daybell, who represented herself in her murder trial and created what Penney called “a fiasco” and “all about publicity.” Self-representation in criminal cases creates significant challenges for judges and prosecutors, who must be careful to avoid constitutional issues while managing defendants who lack legal training.
For more legal insights and case analysis, tune in to Radio Law Talk every Saturday or visit radiolawtalk.com.
Need Legal Help in California?
If you’ve been hurt in an accident or need legal help in California, Penney & Associates stands ready to advocate for you. Their experienced trial lawyers maintain offices across California and focus on getting clients the compensation and justice they deserve.
Contact Penney & Associates for a free consultation at (800) 616-4529 or fill out this form to get in touch.
