A Manhattan jury has begun deliberating in the manslaughter trial of a former Marine, Daniel Penny, charged in the chokehold death of a homeless man on a New York City subway last year. Penny, 26, is facing charges of second-degree manslaughter and criminally negligent homicide in the death of Jordan Neely, a 30-year-old street artist and Michael Jackson impersonator.
Neely entered a New York City subway car in May 2023, exhibiting erratic behavior and making threatening statements. Penny grabbed Neely from behind in a chokehold, forcing him to the train floor and restraining him for several minutes. The incident was captured on bystander video, serving as a key piece of evidence in the trial.
The case has sparked debate among NYC residents, touching on issues of mental health, race relations, and the line between protector and vigilante. Black Lives Matter protesters have highlighted Neely's name as a victim, while others have commended Penny's actions as an attempt to protect fellow passengers.
If convicted, Penny faces up to 15 years in prison for manslaughter or up to four years for criminally negligent homicide. The defense argued that Penny acted to protect others, while the prosecution contended that he used excessive force and failed to recognize the value of Neely's life.
Witnesses, including a Marine Corps martial arts expert who trained Penny in chokeholds, testified during the trial. The defense emphasized Neely's threatening behavior, character witnesses from Penny's military service, and challenges to the medical cause of Neely's death.
The jury heard conflicting expert testimonies regarding the cause of Neely's death, with the city medical examiner attributing it to a chokehold, while the defense's expert cited a combination of factors. Video footage of the incident and Penny's interview with NYPD detectives were also presented as evidence.
The prosecution and defense presented their closing arguments, with the defense asserting Penny's actions were justified in protecting others, and the prosecution arguing that he used excessive and reckless force. The jury now faces the challenging task of determining Penny's culpability in a case that has stirred emotions and raised complex legal questions.
