Luthmann to Hales: Show Mercy to “Bonecrusher” or Burn in Hell

The courtroom drama between YouTuber Jeremy Hales and journalist Richard Luthmann just exploded into moral theater. Hales, who filed a federal defamation lawsuit in Gainesville, Florida, missed his 90-day deadline to properly serve Luthmann under Rule 4(m) of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure. Despite boasting on social media about serving him “at least three times,” Hales never actually nailed down proper service. Luthmann hammered him with Eleventh Circuit precedent, citing Cioffe v. Morris and Goodstein v. Bombardier, which make clear that the 90-day clock starts with the first complaint. In other words, Hales blew it.

But instead of simply spiking the football, Luthmann threw down a shocking challenge on The Unknown Podcast. He offered to accept service anyway—but only if Hales drops elderly co-defendant Ray “Bonecrusher.” Ray, a retired Iowan with a sick wife, faces a lawsuit that could devastate him. Luthmann invoked scripture, thundering: “Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.” He asked Hales point blank: “What would Jesus do?”

“Jeremy is NOT A CHRISTIAN if he refuses to show mercy to Ray,” Luthmann declared. He accused Hales of trying to put Ray and his wife “into the grave,” calling it evil and damnable. Co-host Michael Volpe backed him, describing Hales’s case as frivolous and cruel.

The ultimatum is simple: Drop Ray, or face shame in the eyes of God and the law. Luthmann demanded that Hales publicly announce Ray’s release on his YouTube channel, crediting the request to “Paintchips” Luthmann. Only then would he waive the expired service requirement.

This saga has become more than legal wrangling—it’s a morality play with real stakes for an elderly couple. Hales must now decide whether to cling to his scorched-earth tactics or heed the call of mercy. One thing is clear: Luthmann has put him in checkmate, in law and in faith.