A bizarre courtroom twist unfolded in the case of a wealthy raisin-industry heir accused of shouting antisemitic slurs at his rabbi neighbor, as he seeks to avoid a trial.
Bruce Lion, 64, appeared before Judge Ronald Kaye on Monday looking unkempt in a yellow jail jumpsuit, with a gray beard and shackles, as he challenged three felony charges tied to an alleged antisemitic outburst aimed at his Jewish neighbor from the balcony of his $5.3 million Pacific Palisades residence.
Lion told the court he wanted to dismiss his public defender and bring in attorneys Alexandra Kazarian and Salinas-based John Klopfenstein, who has represented the affluent raisin heir in prior criminal matters. “We have a long history,” Lion said.
Tensions rose when Klopfenstein proposed postponing the hearing until the following Monday. “Wait, wait, wait, John,” Lion yelled, prompting bailiffs to move between them.
Following a short recess, the judge ordered an immediate competency assessment at the courthouse. Dr. Becker concluded that Lion was “competent to stand trial,” but Klopfenstein quickly asked for a second review by Pasadena psychiatrist Dr. Alan Chen.
When The California Post asked why the defense was seeking another opinion, Klopfenstein said they are pursuing mental health diversion, though he declined to provide further details.
Before Lion was taken back to his cell, Judge Kaye reminded him that a protective order remains in effect requiring him to stay away from Rabbi Zushe Cunin, the neighbor whose videos allegedly showing Lion shouting antisemitic threats from the balcony of his Pacific Palisades mansion led to his arrest in June.
“I don’t know what he looks like. I don’t know who he is,” Lion told the judge, speaking about Cunin.
Kazarian asked the court to temporarily lift the order so Lion could retrieve belongings from his home, about 300 yards from the rabbi’s residence. The judge swiftly denied the request.
A woman in the gallery, who declined to be identified, said she would be willing to collect Lion’s belongings. Bail remains set at $225,000, and it is unclear whether he will be released.
Lion faces two felony counts of making criminal threats with intent to terrorize and one count of threatening force based on a person’s beliefs. The California Post obtained multiple videos allegedly showing him harassing Cunin.
In one video, Lion yells, “I ain’t going nowhere, Jew boy. Lose some f—ing weight. Go f—ing work. Do something for a change.”
When he was arrested on June 13, he was also captured on video shouting, “Hey, f— you Jews, f— you Jews, you’re going to hell,” and other antisemitic remarks as officers placed him into a patrol car.
The rant continued when Lion asked the person filming his arrest if they were Jewish. “Hey, are you Jewish, boy? Because it’s starting. Five days ago. Judgment day motherf—er. Tell your friends.”
Lion has a lengthy rap sheet, including serving jail time in 2019 for making criminal threats and having a gun, despite a court barring him from owning a firearm.
In that incident, he was convicted of violating a domestic violence restraining order after authorities said he possessed a firearm and made threats.
He was arrested in 2023 for allegedly throwing rocks at cars in Monterey County, blocking the highway with debris and assaulting construction workers. Lion was booked on charges that included assault, false imprisonment, vandalism, and assault with a deadly weapon other than a firearm.
Lion was arrested again in 2023 after Fresno police said he violated a domestic violence protective order at the home of his ex-wife. The arrest came one day after officers responded to another domestic violence-related incident at the same address but did not take Lion into custody.
If convicted in his most recent case he faces 9 years behind bars.
