Daniel Penny Acquitted in Subway Chokehold Death #

Daniel Penny was found not guilty of criminally negligent homicide in the death of a homeless subway passenger he had restrained in a chokehold last year. The verdict was met with celebration by Penny and his legal team.

The case stemmed from an incident on May 1, 2023, when Penny, an architecture student and former Marine, encountered Jordan Neely on an uptown F train. Witnesses reported that Neely, who had a history of mental health struggles, was yelling about hunger and not caring about living or dying. Penny approached Neely from behind and put him in a chokehold, taking him to the floor.

The incident sparked protests demanding charges against Penny, while others defended his actions as protecting fellow passengers. The case became a flashpoint in debates over crime, justice, homelessness, and mental illness in New York City.

The verdict has reignited criticism of Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, particularly from conservative politicians. Bragg, Manhattan’s first Black district attorney, has faced intense scrutiny since taking office with promises of a progressive approach to crime.

Bragg defended his office’s handling of the case, stating they followed the facts and evidence from beginning to end. He also condemned threats and hate directed at prosecutors and their families in the wake of the verdict.

The district attorney’s office has brought 36,000 cases this year, with supporters arguing that politically charged cases have overshadowed other initiatives, such as mental health programs and the creation of a special victims division.

As the Penny case concludes, another high-profile case looms. A suspect has been arrested in the killing of a health insurance executive on a Manhattan street, with prosecutors seeking his extradition to face murder charges.