The Trial of Daniel Mohar

After watching the video ends, jurors in this room become quiet as their gaze falls to the floor and some settle back into their seats.

Prosecutors allege that 34-year-old Daniel Mohar hit 50-year-old Edward Tivnan after the latter made an offensive drunken comment and fell to his death two days later.

Early Life and Education

Daniel Mohar is a plant geneticist and expert in plant domestication. As professor at Hebrew University of Jerusalem, his work primarily concerns agricultural crops like wheat and potatoes; coauthoring an influential synthesis published first in 1988 is part of his expertise.

Prosecutors allege that 34-year-old Mohar attacked Edward Tivnan after he made a drunken comment to Mohar’s girlfriend at Social Games and Brews in Durham. Tivnan fell and hit his head on the patio pavement before succumbing to his injuries two days later at hospital.

Family of the victim expressed disappointment with the verdict; however, homicide cases can be extremely complex and that violence should never be justified as an answer. According to the district attorney’s office, they understand their disappointment but maintain that violence is never acceptable as an option.

Professional Career

The jury in Daniel Mohar’s murder trial leans back, their energy drained away. A few members are left sitting, appearing confused and frustrated.

Prosecutors demonstrate in the second video how Mohar pushed Edward Tivan down after he called Mohar an immoral person and struck his head with a bottle, causing Tivan’s head to strike the patio pavement and collapsing on his own two days later. Tivan died due to this act.

Tivnan’s family are outraged that first and second degree murder charges against Mohar were dismissed, as well as repeated drops of assault charges against him by prosecutors over the last decade – decisions which may have contributed to his fatal encounter with Tivnan in June 2019 at Social Games and Brews bar, now closed down.

Achievement and Honors

Mohar has not only distinguished himself with his scientific work, but has also garnered numerous honors throughout his life. These awards recognize academic achievements, community service and leadership skills. Mohar was even invited into Phi Beta Kappa – an organization which honors students for academic achievements – which recognizes student achievements.

At Tivnan’s sentencing hearing, his family expressed discontent with an system they felt allowed Mohar to get away with repeated assault charges against her, stating if these allegations had been pursued further, perhaps his life could have been spared.

Samantha Long, Mohar’s sister, spoke about what Teddy Mohar meant to her and shared memories from their time together. Long said “Teddy was so outgoing and loud — not in an offensive way – no matter what transpired verbally, someone shouldn’t die over it.” On Tuesday Mohar entered his guilty plea of involuntary manslaughter.

Personal Life

Mohar’s lawyers during his trial argued that prosecutors hadn’t proven his involvement with Tivnan’s death with intent; rather, Mohar struck him so as to cause him to fall to the pavement and strike his head against its surface.

Mohar’s attorneys criticized police and prosecutors during a pre-trial hearing for failing to document interviews with witnesses such as Leighton Lopez. According to Lopez, he often picks up his phone and hangs up when unfamiliar numbers call but never recalls doing it on an officer.

Mohar is well-known for his radio work, co-hosting The Jim Rome Show and doing drive-by call-ins to promote his stand-up comedy shows. Hyperion published his first book Gasping for Airtime: Two Years in the Trenches of Saturday Night Live in 2004.