A Manhattan jury has acquitted Daniel Penny of all criminal charges in the chokehold death of Jordan Neely, a case that has fueled ongoing debates over public safety, mental health, and crime in New York City’s subway system.
Penny, a former Marine, faced charges of criminally negligent homicide for the May 2023 incident aboard an uptown F train. Neely, a homeless man with a history of mental health struggles, died after Penny restrained him in a chokehold during a confrontation witnessed and recorded by several passengers. The charge carried a potential sentence of up to four years in prison.
The jury reached a unanimous verdict, sparking applause in the courtroom as the foreperson announced the decision. This high-profile case has reignited concerns about the balance between self-defense and accountability, as well as the city’s ability to address its mental health crisis and ensure safety in public spaces.
While the legal battle has concluded, the case continues to resonate deeply, highlighting divisions in public opinion about responsibility and justice in complex, high-stakes situations.
The acquittal of Daniel Penny is clearly the just and correct verdict. I must admit I was skeptical that a jury in New York City would reach a unanimous not guilty verdict, and the jury deserves credit for doing the right thing.
Meanwhile, is there a worse prosecutor in America… https://t.co/fVJJQTQQqV
— Ron DeSantis (@RonDeSantis) December 9, 2024
Daniel Penny ACQUITTED! pic.twitter.com/yO3gVHHSOD
— Ben Shapiro (@benshapiro) December 9, 2024
