US Raisin Empire Heir Faces Trial Over Antisemitic Threats Against Rabbi Neighbor

Bruce Lyon, 64, heir to a US raisin empire, is accused of making severe antisemitic threats against his Jewish neighbor, Rabbi Zusha Konin, in Pacific Palisades, California. Lyon appeared in court this week wearing a yellow prison jumpsuit and shackles, requesting to replace his public defender with attorneys Alexandra Kazarian and John Klopfenstein, who previously represented him in criminal cases. During the hearing, tensions escalated between Lyon and his lawyer, prompting court security to intervene. The judge ordered a mental competency evaluation, which found Lyon fit to stand trial, though his defense requested a second psychiatric opinion to pursue a mental health-related alternative proceeding.

Lyon is charged with two counts of criminal threats intended to instill fear and one count of threatening someone based on their religion. Prosecutors presented videos showing Lyon shouting antisemitic curses and threats from his balcony toward Rabbi Konin. At his June arrest, Lyon was recorded yelling that Jews "are going to hell" and threatening a person filming the arrest after asking if they were Jewish. Lyon denied knowing or recognizing his neighbor in court.

The judge reminded Lyon of a restraining order barring him from approaching Rabbi Konin and denied his request to return home to collect belongings due to the proximity of their residences. Lyon has a significant criminal history, including a 2019 prison sentence for criminal threats and illegal weapons possession, and multiple arrests in 2023 for stone-throwing, road obstruction, assault, and violating a protection order related to domestic violence. Lyon remains in custody on $225,000 bail and faces up to nine years in prison if convicted on the current charges.