Former Marine Daniel Penny is facing charges of manslaughter in the subway chokehold murder of Jordan Neely. In a recent interview, Penny defended his actions, claiming that Neely, a disturbed homeless man, would have killed someone if he had acted on his threats towards other riders. On May 1, when Neely went on a rant on the F train in Lower Manhattan, Penny felt compelled to intervene. He credited the late civil rights pioneer Elie Wiesel for inspiring him and emphasized the importance of not remaining silent in the face of injustice.
Penny described the seriousness of Neely’s threats, stating that if they had been carried out, someone would have been killed. He explained the fear he experienced during the incident, trapped on the train with frightened passengers, including elderly individuals and children. Since the grappling match incident, Penny has chosen to avoid riding the subway altogether.
In his defense, Penny’s lawyers argue that he acted in self-defense to protect himself and fellow New Yorkers. However, the release of footage captured by a freelance journalist sparked widespread outrage. The city’s medical examiner ruled Neely’s cause of death as “compression of the neck,” leading to Penny being charged with second-degree manslaughter. Voluntarily turning himself in to the police, Penny described the arrest as a stressful and somewhat humiliating experience.
A grand jury was subsequently convened to review the evidence against Penny. With nearly $3 million raised in an internet campaign for his legal fees, Penny awaits further legal proceedings. Meanwhile, Neely’s family holds the authorities responsible for failing to provide the necessary care he required. Reverend Al Sharpton criticized the decision not to immediately arrest Penny and questioned why he was allowed to visit the family after the incident.
In his first public statement, Penny expressed a willingness to repeat his actions in a similar situation, emphasizing his commitment to living an authentic life. While sympathizing with Neely’s family and acknowledging their loss, he attributed their circumstances to a broken system. The case now awaits a resolution that will determine the outcome for both Penny and the family of Jordan Neely.