Black man who was killed in a chokehold by ex-Marine Daniel Penny
In an unfortunate incident, former Marine Daniel Penny, aged 24, has been indicted by a Manhattan grand jury on second-degree manslaughter charges. This follows the subway confrontation that resulted in the tragic death of Jordan Neely, a homeless man. The indictment, currently under seal, is expected to be formally announced by the Manhattan District Attorney on Thursday, June 15.
Incident Details:
The incident took place on May 1, when Penny found himself in a confrontation with Neely, a homeless man and street artist, on the subway. Neely began shouting about his hunger and thirst, expressing his indifference towards his own life. Penny ended up restraining Neely in a chokehold, leading to his untimely demise. The medical examiner has ruled the death as a homicide. Penny surrendered to law enforcement officers on May 12, nearly two weeks after the incident occurred.
Defense Argument:
Penny’s legal team argues that their client acted in self-defense during the confrontation. Witnesses have reported Neely’s aggressive behavior, including screaming, yelling, and threatening other passengers. Penny’s defense claims that his actions were driven by the need to protect himself and fellow passengers from Neely’s threats.
Trial Possibility:
With the grand jury’s decision, Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg now has the opportunity to proceed to trial. If convicted, Penny could face a maximum sentence of 15 years in prison. The trial will thoroughly examine the circumstances surrounding the incident and weigh the validity of Penny’s self-defense argument.
Crowdfunding for Legal Defense:
Supporters of Daniel Penny have launched a GiveSendGo campaign to raise funds for his legal defense. The campaign has gained significant traction, surpassing $2.8 million in donations. This overwhelming financial support demonstrates the interest and backing received by Penny’s case.
Family’s Demand for Murder Charges:
Following Neely’s tragic death, his family has been advocating for Penny to face murder charges. The trial will address the family’s concerns and allow for a thorough evaluation of the evidence.
Penny’s Statement:
In a video released over the weekend, Daniel Penny personally addressed the incident. He clarified that his intention was not to kill Neely but rather to prevent further harm to himself and the other passengers. Penny described the aggressive behavior displayed by Neely, expressing his concern for the safety of women and children present on the subway. He emphasized that his actions were driven by courage and a sense of responsibility to protect others.
Conclusion:
The indictment of Daniel Penny on manslaughter charges marks a significant development in the subway confrontation case. As the trial unfolds, the evidence will be carefully examined to determine the validity of Penny’s self-defense argument. The substantial support received through the crowdfunding campaign highlights the attention and backing garnered by Penny’s case, while Neely’s family continues to advocate for murder charges.