Daniel Penny, the Marine veteran who placed Jordan Neely in a fatal chokehold on a New York City subway, was acquitted of criminally negligent homicide on Monday. The verdict, delivered by a Manhattan jury after days of deliberation, sparked both relief and outrage, highlighting deep divisions over race, mental health, and public safety in America.
Penny, who faced a manslaughter charge that was ultimately dismissed due to a deadlocked jury, expressed relief at the outcome. However, Neely’s family and supporters were left reeling, decrying the verdict as an injustice and a reflection of a “rigged system.”
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The case, which captured national attention, stemmed from a May 2023 incident where Penny restrained Neely, a homeless man with a history of mental illness, after Neely began behaving erratically on the subway. While some passengers testified to feeling threatened by Neely’s behavior, others argued that Penny’s response was excessive.
Penny’s defense team maintained that he acted to protect himself and fellow passengers from a perceived threat. They emphasized Neely’s mental health struggles and past aggressive behavior, arguing that Penny utilized his Marine Corps training to de-escalate the situation.
Prosecutors, however, argued that Penny’s actions were disproportionate to the threat posed by Neely, who was unarmed. They emphasized that Neely did not physically harm anyone and questioned the duration of the chokehold, which lasted several minutes.
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The trial unfolded against a backdrop of intense public debate. Penny was hailed as a hero by some, including prominent Republican politicians, who saw him as a symbol of vigilante justice in a city grappling with crime and homelessness.
Conversely, others, including prominent Democrats who attended Neely’s funeral, condemned Penny’s actions, framing the incident as a tragic consequence of systemic racism and inadequate mental health support.
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