Expert Pathologist Testifies Chokehold Did Not Cause Subway Death

Daniel Penny arrives at the court after break in New York, Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2024. (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura)

A Marine veteran is on trial for the subway chokehold death of Jordan Neely, with conflicting expert testimonies adding complexity to the case. Dr. Satish Chundru, a forensic pathologist, testified that the chokehold did not cause Neely's death, attributing it instead to a combination of factors including sickle cell crisis, schizophrenia, struggle, restraint, and synthetic marijuana.

Neely, a 30-year-old homeless man with schizophrenia and a drug habit, had encountered the defendant, Daniel Penny, on a subway car where he made death threats. Penny faces manslaughter charges and could receive up to 15 years in prison if convicted.

Dr. Chundru, who runs a private practice in Texas, emphasized that a person with schizophrenia, under the influence of synthetic drugs like K2, and engaged in a struggle, could succumb to death without the involvement of a chokehold. He explained the phases of asphyxiation death, highlighting that unconsciousness precedes death in a chokehold scenario.

Forensic pathologist Dr. Chundru attributes Neely's death to multiple factors.

Marine veteran faces manslaughter charges in subway chokehold death trial.

Neely, a homeless man with schizophrenia and drug habit, encountered defendant on subway.

Contrary to Dr. Chundru's testimony, Dr. Cynthia Harris, who conducted the city's autopsy, asserted that the chokehold was the cause of Neely's death, discounting the influence of synthetic drugs, sickle cell disorder, or cardiac arrest. The trial has become a battleground of expert opinions, with both sides presenting contrasting views on the circumstances surrounding Neely's tragic demise.

The presence of synthetic marijuana in Neely's system, along with his underlying health conditions and the physical altercation, has further complicated the case. Dr. Chundru's assertion that rendering someone unconscious through a chokehold does not always result in death underscores the intricate nature of the medical evidence being examined in court.

As the trial unfolds, the conflicting testimonies of the expert witnesses highlight the challenges in determining the precise cause of Neely's death. The legal proceedings continue to shed light on the complexities of asphyxiation deaths and the interplay of various factors that can contribute to such tragic outcomes.