Daniel Penny and his legal team celebrated a not guilty verdict after his acquittal in the chokehold death case of Jordan Neely. Neely, a homeless man high on synthetic marijuana and suffering from schizophrenia, had threatened subway riders before losing consciousness and passing away.
Attorney Thomas Kenniff expressed his lack of surprise at the verdict, stating that while they believed the outcome should have been reached sooner, they were pleased with the result. The trial, which lasted several weeks, faced criticism for being politically charged, with allegations of racial undertones raised by the prosecution.
During the trial, prosecutors portrayed Neely as a man in need of assistance and accused Penny, a White architecture student and Marine veteran, of excessive force in restraining Neely. Witnesses testified to feeling fearful due to Neely's behavior and expressed gratitude for Penny's intervention.
The jury ultimately found Penny not guilty of criminally negligent homicide, with the more serious charge of manslaughter resulting in a deadlock and subsequent dismissal by the judge. Defense attorney Steven Raiser highlighted Penny's justified actions in attempting to aid individuals on the train and emphasized that Penny was not responsible for Neely's death, attributing it to various other factors such as substance abuse and health issues.
Penny, a Long Island native and decorated Marine veteran, was described as calm and empathetic by friends and colleagues during the trial. His background in sports, music, and architecture, coupled with his humanitarian efforts, painted a picture of a dedicated and compassionate individual.
