From cement-filled urns in Colorado to Hollywood studios suing Chinese AI companies, the Sept. 20 episode of Radio Law Talk delivered a mix of shocking, tragic, and unusual stories that show how wide-ranging legal disputes can be.
Hosted by Frederick W. Penney, renowned California personal injury lawyer and founder of Penney & Associates, alongside co-hosts Todd Kuhnen and Denise Dirks, the popular show is a must-listen for anyone who wants the latest insights on cases that cross from courtrooms to pop culture.
Colorado Funeral Home Fraud
The panel began with a story that surely stunned listeners: a Colorado funeral home where nearly 200 bodies were left to rot while families were handed urns filled with cement powder.
A judge rejected a proposed plea deal that would have allowed a 20-year sentence to run concurrently with an existing federal conviction. The decision was unusual—judges rarely override negotiated agreements—and reflected the outrage voiced by grieving families who demanded additional accountability.
The panel noted how rare it was for a judge to throw out a plea deal, underscoring how forceful the victims’ voices had been: “The judge said in nine years on the bench, he had never done that.” Kuhnen emphasized that while plea agreements are the norm, judges have the power to reject them if they believe justice isn’t being served.
Florida Bear Hunting Lawsuit
Florida’s plan to resume black bear hunting sparked debate. Conservation groups are suing, citing the 2015 hunt where more than 300 bears were killed in just two days.
Dirks weighed in: “It’s heartbreaking—killing mothers leaves cubs to die.” Penney added some perspective, comparing Florida’s 4,000 black bears with the far larger populations in states like Maine and California.
Starbucks Dress Code Lawsuit
Starbucks employees are challenging new workplace rules limiting clothing, piercings, and tattoos. Workers claim it stifles personal expression.
Kuhnen highlighted how grooming standards sometimes cross into protected categories. “In California, if a policy affects cultural or religious expression, you could have a legal problem,” he said.
Penney pushed back: “I think it’s reasonable. If you don’t like the rules, get another job.” The exchange captured the tension between employer control and employee rights.
Luigi Mangione Murder Case
The show turned serious again with the case of Luigi Mangione, accused of murdering a UnitedHealthcare executive outside a Midtown Manhattan hotel last December. Prosecutors tried to add terrorism charges, which would have meant life without parole.
Kuhnen explained why the court rejected the move: “Even if you take everything the prosecution said as true, United Healthcare is not a unit of government. The law has to stand for what it says.”
Penney agreed: “That’s the right call. It is what it is.”
Mangione still faces murder charges carrying 15 years to life.
Justin Baldoni vs. Blake Lively
The lawsuit between actors Justin Baldoni and Blake Lively drew plenty of attention. Lively alleges harassment; Baldoni’s $400 million counterclaim was dismissed. Now Baldoni has hired Alexandra Shapiro, a former Supreme Court clerk and high-profile trial lawyer.
“Blake Lively’s team is going to have their hands full,” said Kuhnen, after reviewing Shapiro’s career. Penney pointed to the unusual detail that Taylor Swift, a close friend of Lively, may be deposed: “Getting superstars to take depositions is never easy. The last time I tried it with a rock star, the case settled right afterward.”
Amazon Tribe Lawsuit Against U.S. Media
An indigenous tribe in Brazil sued the New York Times, Yahoo, and TMZ for $180 million, claiming an article falsely implied the community’s youth were addicted to pornography.
The judge dismissed the case, noting the report referred to one young man, not the tribe as a whole.
Kuhnen connected the ruling to broader issues: “With the internet, courts often say jurisdiction exists if content is accessible here. But the judge rightly pointed out that the article didn’t say the whole tribe was addicted.”
Hollywood vs. AI
Disney, Warner Bros., and Universal Pictures have sued a Chinese AI company accused of generating unauthorized videos with protected characters like Darth Vader.
Penney compared it to the early 2000s music industry battles. “It reminds me of Napster,” he said. “That started with free music until the lawsuits shut it down. Now it’s AI and movies.”
The lawsuits highlight how fast technology is moving and how entertainment companies are scrambling to protect their intellectual property.
For more legal insights and case analysis, tune in to Radio Law Talk every Saturday or visit radiolawtalk.com.
Contact Penney & Associates
Along with hosting Radio Law Talk, Frederick W. Penney leads Penney & Associates, a top California personal injury law firm that has represented thousands of clients since 1992. If you or someone you care about has been injured, reach out to Penney & Associates for a free consultation.
