Trial to Begin for Daniel Penny in the Killing of Jordan Neely
The high-profile manslaughter trial of Daniel Penny, a U.S. Marine Corps veteran, is set to begin in Manhattan on Monday. Penny is accused of placing Jordan Neely, a homeless man suffering from mental illness, in a deadly chokehold on a New York City subway train in May 2023. The case has become a flashpoint in national discussions on mental health, racial injustice, and crime.
Neely, 30, was acting erratically and shouting on the train when Penny, 25, intervened and restrained him with the assistance of two other passengers. Penny held Neely in a chokehold for more than three minutes, resulting in Neely’s death. The medical examiner ruled the death a homicide due to neck compression.
Split Public Opinion on the Case
Public opinion has been sharply divided over the incident. Some view Penny as a vigilante who overstepped his bounds by using excessive force, while others see him as a Good Samaritan who acted in defense of frightened passengers. Neely, a Black man, was well-known in the subway system as a street performer who impersonated Michael Jackson, but in recent years, he struggled with homelessness and mental illness.
The death of Neely, which ignited protests throughout New York City, also sparked a larger debate over the safety of the subway system and how to address mental health crises in public spaces.
Legal Charges and Possible Penalties
Penny has been charged with second-degree manslaughter, which carries a potential sentence of up to 15 years in prison, and criminally negligent homicide, which could lead to up to four years behind bars if convicted. He has been free on a $100,000 bond while awaiting trial.
Penny’s defense team argues that he never intended to kill Neely, claiming his actions were an effort to subdue a dangerous situation. “If Danny is convicted, his conviction will have a chilling effect on every New Yorker’s right and duty to stand up for each other,” said Penny’s lawyer, Steven Raiser. The defense will also present evidence that Neely had high levels of a synthetic drug, K2, in his system, which they argue could have contributed to his death.
Neely’s Family Seeks Justice
Neely’s family, who have been vocal about the case, maintain that his death was unnecessary and racially motivated. “Justice for Jordan is all we think about,” said Christopher Neely, Jordan’s uncle. The family hopes that Penny will be held accountable for the actions they believe were driven by bias rather than a genuine concern for safety.
Neely’s tragic life story has also come to light in the wake of his death. He lost his mother at a young age after she was murdered, and this trauma significantly affected his mental health. His family described him as a deeply troubled individual who was failed by the system and in need of care, not violence.
