The Daniel Penny trial for the death of Jordan Neely due to a chokehold on a train ride began with the selection of jurors. The incident occurred in May 2023 on a Lower Manhattan F train and gained widespread attention after the footage of Neely’s death went viral on social media, leading to protests.
Penny’s defense team claims that he acted in self-defense as Neely was allegedly threatening strangers. They argue that Neely was experiencing a mental health crisis and was under the influence of drugs, making him a potential danger to subway riders. The defense team remains confident that Penny will be found innocent despite facing charges of second-degree manslaughter and negligence.
Protesters, led by Black Lives Matter of Greater New York co-founder Hawk Newsome, gathered outside the court demanding justice for Neely. They believe that Penny’s actions were unwarranted and led to the tragic death of Neely.
On the other hand, Penny’s lawyers assert that there is ample evidence to support their client’s claim that he was acting to protect himself and others on the train. They highlight Neely’s history of paranoid schizophrenia, psychotic episodes, and drug use as factors that led to the altercation.
The trial is expected to last about six weeks, with both the prosecution and the defense focused on selecting a fair and impartial jury. The Neely family attorney, Donte Mills, accompanied by Neely’s father, Andre Zachery, believes that the jury will ultimately find Penny responsible for Neely’s death.
As the trial progresses, both sides will present their arguments and evidence to the jury in the hopes of reaching a fair and just decision. The outcome of the trial will have significant implications for both the Neely and Penny families, as well as the broader community affected by this tragic incident.
