BJ Penn’s request to verify mother’s identity denied, believes she was replaced with imposter
HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) - On Tuesday, former UFC world champion BJ Penn claimed in open court that he believes an identical imposter has taken the place of his mother Lorraine Shin.
According to the Hawaii Tribune Herald, Penn asked Hilo Family Court Judge Jeffrey Ng to vacate his temporary restraining order (TRO) Shin currently has against him.
He also asked the judge to order “a supervised identity verification.”
When asked what he meant by the request, Penn clarified that he wished for, “A very thorough identity test to make sure this unknown woman filing this TRO against Jay Dee Penn is, in fact, Lorraine Shin,” he replied.
The judge then told Penn that he was going to deny the request at this time.
Penn was arrested and charged May 27, with domestic abuse against his 79-year-old mother. She filed a TRO against her son that same day.
The TRO will remain effective until Nov. 23.
In court Tuesday, Penn announced that he would be representing himself in the criminal and civil case against Shin after failing to retain an attorney.
This past month, Penn has been arrested twice for violating the TRO and returning to his mother’s home on Puueo Street.
Penn claims his real mother and other family members, including his siblings, have been replaced by imposters.
Shin told the judge that she wanted to move forward with the court proceedings. She believes her son has Capgras Syndrome, a disorder in which the person believes those close to them have been replaced by imposters.
Penn has been charged with domestic abuse, refusing to comply with police, and violating his TRO.
Judge Ng said Penn can question his mother in the civil case during an evidentiary hearing August 12.
His criminal trial is set for July 2.
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