Hot Bench Season 1 Episode 39 Ammo Explodes in Face!

While many reality courtroom shows stick to traditional judge-jury-prosecution-defendant formats, Hot Bench is an outlier for its three-judge panel presiding over often salacious and outrageous cases. Season 1 episode 39, "Ammo Explodes in Face!" certainly falls into the latter category. The episode, like the show as a whole, is hosted and moderated by Tanya Acker, Patricia DiMango, and Larry Bakman. The latter hosts the Hot Bench podcast, which encourages viewers/listeners to engage with the show's unique court proceedings.

"Ammo Explodes in Face!" kicks off with a brief introduction by Acker, who sets the scene in the case about to unfold. We're told that a hunter, one Mr. Davis, is suing the manufacturer of his gun for causing his injury, namely, exploding in his face. Bakman, the first "hot bench" judge to speak to, takes the lead and asks Davis to recount what happened.

Davis explains that he was out hunting with his son when, upon firing his rifle, it exploded in his face. Pictures of the injury appear on screen, which Bakman describes as a catastrophic injury to the right side of Davis's face. The judge then asks if Davis has used this same rifle before, to which the plaintiff admits he has, but only a handful of times. Bakman also points out that Davis didn't file the lawsuit against the gun's manufacturer until almost two years after the incident.

Next up is the defendant's counsel, who argues that the plaintiff misused the product and that the gun was in good condition when it left the factory. The defendant's counsel also claims that Davis was wearing inappropriate protective gear, such as flammable clothing and a cap instead of a helmet.

The judges take a brief break to deliberate over some of the key points brought up so far. DiMango points out that it's unclear whether the plaintiff followed all the manufacturer's instructions, while Bakman notes that context is key when it comes to the gun exploding. The judges return from their break, and that's when things start to get really interesting.

Acker introduces a new piece of evidence: a video from the day of the incident that shows not only Davis firing his rifle but also his son filming the incident with his phone. Bakman surmises that the video suggests a "really horrible parent-child relationship." The judges all seem to agree that the video is damning, and the defendant's counsel is given the opportunity to cross-examine Davis's son.

The video footage shows Davis's son giggling as his father mishandles the gun, which the defendant's counsel uses as a way to imply that the son was complicit in the incident. Bakman is quick to shut down this line of questioning, explaining that the son was just a minor and not responsible for any of the actions depicted in the video.

The episode wraps up with each judge offering their final thoughts on the case. DiMango argues that the plaintiff should've taken more precautions, while Bakman flips the argument on its head and says that the onus shouldn't be on the plaintiff to protect themselves against a defective product. Acker, as usual, plays devil's advocate and notes that the scenario is a gray area, but ultimately comes down on the side of the plaintiff.

Overall, "Ammo Explodes in Face!" is a typical episode of Hot Bench: sensationalistic, occasionally cringe-worthy, and thoroughly engrossing. The judges are charismatic and knowledgeable, and they don't shy away from asking difficult questions or challenging each other's conclusions. The episode raises important questions about product liability and personal responsibility, and it's sure to keep viewers hooked until the very end.