Jury Acquits Daniel Penny on Criminally Negligent Homicide Charge
A Marine veteran named Daniel Penny was acquitted of criminally negligent homicide related to the death of Jordan Neely, who he placed in a chokehold during a threatening incident on the subway. The Manhattan jury reached its verdict after earlier deadlocking on a more serious manslaughter charge, which was subsequently dismissed. Penny’s defense argued that he was acting in self-defense against a volatile individual perceived as a threat, while prosecutors contended that Penny’s response was excessively forceful. The trial attracted important public attention,with demonstrations occurring outside the courthouse,and featured polarized responses from political figures. Throughout the trial, Penny’s military background and his subsequent study in architecture where also noted.
A Marine veteran who used a chokehold on an aggressive and threatening subway rider was acquitted on Monday.
A Manhattan jury delivered the verdict, clearing Daniel Penny of criminally negligent homicide in Jordan Neely’s death last year. A more serious manslaughter charge was dismissed earlier in deliberations because the jury deadlocked on that count.
Both charges were felonies and carried the possibility of prison time.
Penny put Jordan Neely in a chokehold for around 6 minutes, which other subway passengers partially captured on video.
Penny’s lawyers said he was protecting himself and other subway passengers from a volatile, mentally ill man who was making alarming remarks and gestures. The defense also disputed a city medical examiner’s finding that the chokehold killed Neely.
Prosecutors said Penny reacted far too forcefully to someone he perceived as a threat.
There were sometimes dueling demonstrations outside the courthouse, and high-profile Republican politicians portrayed Penny as a hero while prominent Democrats attended Neely’s funeral.
The verdict capped a trial that took a tumultuous turn last Friday, when jurors said they couldn’t reach a unanimous verdict on the manslaughter charge. The judge then dismissed it at prosecutors’ request.
Penny served four years in the Marines and went on to study architecture.
The Western Journal has reviewed this Associated Press story and may have altered it prior to publication to ensure that it meets our editorial standards.
Advertise with The Western Journal and reach millions of highly engaged readers, while supporting our work. Advertise Today.
" Conservative News Daily does not always share or support the views and opinions expressed here; they are just those of the writer."
*As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases
Now loading...