BJ Penn made his initial appearance Wednesday in Hilo Family Court for a charge that he illegally entered the Puueo Street property of his mother, Lorraine Shin, in violation of an order for protection from him she received last month.
The UFC Hall of Famer — who once held championship belts in two divisions of the world’s premier mixed martial arts organization — was arrested Monday afternoon in the vicinity of Shin’s home after police received a complaint that Penn had entered the property.
Penn, whose legal name is Jay Dee Penn, was charged with the misdemeanor offense on Tuesday, and released from custody after a local bail bond company posted a $2,000 bond.
The complaint states that Penn “did intentionally or knowingly violate the order for protection by coming or passing within 100 yards of Lorraine Shin’s residence.”
As he has at numerous recent court appearances, Penn appeared without a lawyer and wore a black surgical mask during the proceeding.
Penn told Hilo Family Court Judge Darien Ching Nagata that he wants her and fellow Hilo Family Court Judge Jeffery Ng to recuse themselves from hearing his case.
Ng granted Shin the protective order — which expires May 26, 2026 — on Aug. 19.
During the August hearing, Shin reiterated her belief that Penn suffers from Capgras syndrome, a psychological disorder in which the sufferer believes close associates have been replaced by lookalike imposters.
Ching Nagata on Wednesday presented Penn with the option of transferring the new case to Hilo Circuit Court, where he would have the option of a jury trial with Judge Peter Kubota presiding, but Penn said he would consult with an attorney.
Kubota is hearing three prior Penn misdemeanor charges — violating a temporary restraining order, violating a stay-away order from the property, and domestic abuse, with the 79-year-old Shin as victim.
A trial is set for 8:30 a.m. Oct. 20 for those charges. Penn has a court-appointed attorney, Alan Komagome, to represent him in Hilo Circuit Court.
Ching Nagata ordered Penn to return to Hilo Family Court at 9 a.m. on Oct. 8.
Email John Burnett at jburnett@hawaiitribune-herald.com.