DONKEY: Woman Rewarded $11.5M After Arrested While Having A Stroke

Summary

Podcast Summary: The Breakfast Club – Episode: DONKEY: Woman Rewarded $11.5M After Arrested While Having A Stroke

Release Date: February 7, 2025

Introduction

In this episode of The Breakfast Club, hosted by iHeartPodcasts, Charlamagne Tha God spearheads a fervent discussion on a controversial incident involving New Jersey State Trooper Jennifer Albuja. The segment, titled "Donkey Today," delves into the wrongful arrest of Cheryl Ryan, who was experiencing a stroke at the time, ultimately leading to a significant legal verdict awarding Ryan $11.5 million.

Key Discussion Points

1. Overview of the Incident

   Charlamagne Tha God opens the discussion by expressing profound disappointment in State Trooper Jennifer Albuja's actions. He critiques the lack of empathy and the systemic issues within law enforcement that contributed to the mishandling of Cheryl Ryan's medical emergency.

   "[Jennifer Albuja] represents what the world is now. And that's a bunch of people with zero empathy for their fellow man or woman" ([02:41]).

2. Details of Cheryl Ryan's Arrest

   The conversation outlines how Cheryl Ryan, while driving to work, began feeling unwell and experienced a double stroke. Instead of receiving timely medical assistance, Trooper Albuja misinterpreted her condition as intoxication, leading to Ryan's unwarranted arrest.

   "Cheryl Ryan's was having a stroke, and Jennifer Albuja thought she was effed up." ([05:00])

3. Consequences of the Trooper’s Actions

   Due to Trooper Albuja's negligence, Ryan's treatment was delayed by two and a half hours. This delay resulted in severe, permanent disabilities, including a language disorder and significant cognitive impairments. The jury awarded her $11.5 million, citing the state's partial responsibility for her condition.

   "The jury awarded her 19.1 million to cover her future medical care, emotional distress, pain and suffering, and loss of income. But they reduced it because they blamed 60% of Ryan's disabilities on the delayed treatment and 40% on the stroke itself." ([08:30])

4. Critique of Law Enforcement Practices

   Charlamagne criticizes the "us versus them" mentality prevalent among some law enforcement officers, referencing Dennis M. Donnelly's statement about officers viewing the public as threats rather than individuals in need.

   "State troopers... approach their jobs as warriors instead of guardians. They see everybody in the public as a danger." ([08:15])

5. Co-Hosts' Perspectives

   • Carlos Miller echoes Charlamagne’s sentiments, emphasizing the importance of empathy and the detrimental impact of such policing behaviors on community trust.

     "Everything that Charlamagne is saying is true." ([02:38])

   • TK Kirkland adds a humorous yet poignant take on the necessity for law enforcement to recognize medical emergencies beyond their immediate perceptions.

     "You need a woman who is old enough to recognize the signs of a stroke." ([06:04])

6. Call for Accountability and Change

   The hosts collectively call for the termination of Jennifer Albuja and a reevaluation of law enforcement training and protocols to prevent such incidents in the future. They advocate for police departments to embody the true essence of "protecting and serving" rather than adopting a militaristic approach.

   "Fire the whole department." ([07:41])

   "The highest form of knowledge is empathy." ([08:50])

Notable Quotes

• Charlamagne Tha God on empathy in policing:

  "The highest form of knowledge is empathy." ([08:50])

• TK Kirkland highlighting the necessity of recognizing medical emergencies:

  "You need a woman who is old enough to recognize the signs of a stroke." ([06:04])

• Charlamagne critiquing law enforcement mentality:

  "They see everybody in the public as a danger." ([08:15])

Conclusion

The episode underscores a critical examination of law enforcement practices, particularly the urgent need for empathy and proper training to handle medical emergencies. Charlamagne Tha God and his co-hosts advocate for systemic changes to ensure that such instances of negligence are not repeated, thereby fostering a more compassionate and effective policing environment.

Final Thoughts

This segment of The Breakfast Club not only sheds light on a distressing incident but also serves as a catalyst for broader conversations about policing, accountability, and community trust. The hosts effectively blend personal insights with societal critiques, urging listeners to reflect on the imperative of empathy within law enforcement.

Transcript

[Unknown Speaker]

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[Carlos Miller]

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[Ke Huy Quan]

Ke Huy Quan has had the craziest career in Hollywood. He played two of the most iconic movie roles of all time as a kid. First his short round in Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom alongside Harrison Ford. And then his data from the cult classic the Goonies. Then, after a 20 year break from acting, he wins an Academy Award for his performance in Everything Everywhere all at Once. Well now Key is finally starring as a leading man in the movie Love Hurts. The movie is a zag against your typical romantic Valentine's Day fare. Love Hurts has over the top action, comedy and a ton of heart.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

It's the perfect choice for date night.

[Ke Huy Quan]

With a little something for everyone. Love Hurts also stars Academy award winner Ariana DeBose and former NFL running back and super bowl champion Marshawn Beast Mode lynch, who absolutely does his thing in this one. You don't want to miss this one. Love Hurts only in theaters February 7th.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

You trying to be a fake ass?

[Carlos Miller]

Charlamagne?

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Some donkey today has just sold himself.

[TK Kirkland]

I've been watching Charlamagne.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

I never heard old donkey of the day. What is it? Say it again. Charlamagne. I'm a donkey? Yes, you are a donkey.

[Carlos Miller]

Everything that Charlamagne is saying is true.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Okay? Hold on. Donkey Today for Friday, February 7th goes to a New Jersey state trooper named Jennifer Albuja. Jennifer, I am disappointed in you. But you represent what the world is now. And that's a bunch of people with zero empathy for their fellow man or woman, okay? We don't give a damn about what other humans are going through. And that's how I know Jesus has no desire to return to this God forsaken place, okay? Why would you want to come back to a place your father has abandoned? By the way, God ain't lost. We are, okay? God don't need to find us. We need to find God. And Jennifer, you absolutely need Jesus and you need his father. Throw some Holy ghost on that thing too, because this story I heard for the first time today was insane. See, because of Jennifer Al Buja, an Essex county jury has handed down an $11.5 million verdict. And I don't think that's enough money, okay? Why did you know they have to hand this money down? Because back in 2017, Jennifer pulled over a woman named Cheryl Ryan's of Jersey City, N.J. drop on the clues bombs for Cheryl Ryan. I'm telling you right now, this story is going to piss you off, okay? This is why back in 88, NWA wrote songs like F the Police, okay? When you hear Kendrick Lamar this when he's performing, all right, say, all my life I had to fight. And you hear him saying, we hate the popo, it's because of stories like this. Now I know all police officers aren't bad, okay? I got love for law enforcement when they do their job correctly. And I know their job is difficult. But cops like Jennifer Albuja give cops a bad name. And I would hope that police officers around the country, but especially cops in the beautiful state of New Jersey, would denounce this disgusting display of behavior from Jennifer Albuja. See, Cheryl Ryan was minding her business, driving to work when she began to feel sick. So she pulled over on the shoulder of a highway in Newark in the state trooper by the name of Jennifer. Jennifer Albuja responded. And Cheryl Ryan's didn't respond to her commands, okay? Cheryl Ryan's couldn't communicate coherently, okay? She couldn't stand upright. So Jennifer Abuja, the state trooper, thought she was intoxicated. Now, Cheryl had no signs of intoxication. Jennifer found no signs of intoxication, okay? No smell or sign of substance abuse. And Cheryl Ryan, her face was drooping. You know why?

[Unknown Speaker]

Why?

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Because Cheryl was having a double damn stroke, okay? Lord have mercy. Jesus Christ. Jesus, I understand why you're not spinning the block on earth, all right? This woman, Cheryl Ryan's, was having a stroke. And Jennifer Albuja thought she was effed up. Oh, yeah, she was effed up just off. Just not off. No drugs, alcohol, okay? This woman, Cheryl Ryan's, was dressed in business attire at 8am on a weekday and had no prior offenses, okay? Don't let Donald Trump find out about this one, all right? If Donald Trump find out about this woman, Jennifer Abuja, I may even agree with him that this is DEI higher behavior, okay? This is the incompetence people believe DEI hires display. I don't know this woman's race, and I don't care. But I do want to know her age. Because one of my favorite OGs who was up here this week, the legendary TK Kirkland drop on the clues bombs with TK he put us up on game a long time ago. As to why you can't date no young girls. I don't know if Jennifer's young or not, but it sounds very young. You know why it sounds young. And you know why TK don't want to date no young girls? Because you need a woman who can recognize the signs of a stroke. Let's listen.

[TK Kirkland]

I said listen. I gotta stop with that. No sign of a stroke. See, people don't think about that. I got to stop with that. No sign of a stroke. These young can't save your mother life.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

That's right.

[TK Kirkland]

I'm in my 60s. I gotta stop thinking I'm a young kid. Could you imagine? I'm with a young. I'm over her house, we eat sandwiches and my face drooping. My eyes go back this. Ooh, look at my he making faces. Oh, I never. I never seen this one. I never seen this one. We about to go viral. Hey, we up at a 2000, baby. Keep slobbing. Keep slobbing. TikTok, TikTok, tick tock. Put the phone down.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

TK Is absolutely right. You need a woman who is old enough to recognize the signs of a stroke. Jennifer, I have no idea how. How old you are, but how dare you? Do you know she failed to get Cheryl Ryan's treatment at A hospital. And the hospital was five minutes away. No. And instead of getting her to a hospital, she searched her car, then handcuffed her and took her to the. She delayed treatment by two and a half hours. A sergeant at the station finally called the EMTs, but the state troopers still left Cheryl Ryan shackled on the floor even after they determined she was in medical distress. Fire the whole department.

[Ke Huy Quan]

Okay?

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Where is Doge when you need them? Okay, Government efficiency can't just be about money, all right, and be about DEI highs. It should be about blatant incompetence. And this is blatant incompetence. Okay, when officers say they are protecting and serving, what does that mean exactly? Because this is the exact opposite of that. Now, Dennis M. Donnelly, I don't know who that is, but I love what he told the New Jersey Monitor. He said, and I quote, I attribute the botched police response to state troopers, us versus them, military mentality. He says they approach their jobs as warriors instead of guardians. They see everybody in the public as a danger. They treated this woman like she was a criminal when she was helpless, end quote. I agree with Dennis. Okay? If you see everybody in the public is a danger, then you won't be able to recognize when someone in the public is actually in danger. This poor woman spent nearly two weeks in the hospital and another month in rehab. But she's permanently disabled. She's unable to speak or understand what people say to her. She has a language disorder caused by stroke related brain damage. All because she didn't get the help she needed in a timely manner because of the ignorance of Jennifer Albuja. Okay? This woman deserved more than $11 million at first. The jury awarded her 19.1 million to cover her future medical care, emotional distress, pain and suffering, and loss of income. But they reduced it because they blamed 60% of Ryan's disabilities on the delayed treatment and 40% on the stroke itself, which they say the state trooper didn't cause. That's true, but I would argue that the inhumane treatment caused by the state trooper, the fact that she delayed her getting the help she needed, caused more stress and made the situation even more worse. And Cheryl might not be as bad off as she is now if that state trooper would have responded differently and got her help in a timely manner. Look, man, the highest form of knowledge is empathy. And this is why so many of us are ignorant to life nowadays, because we don't have any. Needless to say, Jennifer Albuja, you have none. Please give Jennifer Albuja the biggest he haw disgusting. Disgusting. Disgusting.

[Arturo Castro]

Ghetto.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Oh, and she had been a trooper for only two years when she arrested Rhymes. And she was counseled by her supervisors about the incident. No, she shouldn't be on. She don't deserve to be a state trooper no more. Not at all.

[Unknown Speaker]

All right, well, thank you for that donkey of the day. Now, when we come back, Nicole Avant will be joining us.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Oh, man, I love Nicole Avant. She has a book out. She came up here last year to promote it. It's called Think youk'll Be Happy. But she has the paperback that's out now with a new forward from her husband, Ted Sarando. So she'll be here to talk all about that.

[Unknown Speaker]

That and we'll kick with them next. So don't move. It's the Breakfast Club.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Good morning, the Breakfast Club.

[Ke Huy Quan]

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[Charlamagne Tha God]

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[AJ Stephens]

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[Arturo Castro]

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[AJ Stephens]

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[Arturo Castro]

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[Paola Pedrosa]

Welcome. My name is Paola Pedrosa, a medium and the host of the Ghost Therapy podcast, where it's not just about connecting with deceased loved ones, it's about learning through them and their new perspective. I think God sent me this gift so I can show it to the world. And most of all, I help people every single day. Listen to the Ghost Therapy podcast on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.