In a recent development, Daniel Penny, a military veteran who was acquitted of homicide charges this week, has been extended an invitation by Vice President-elect JD Vance to join Donald Trump's suite at the upcoming Army-Navy football game on Saturday. Penny, a Marine veteran, was cleared of criminally negligent homicide in the tragic death of Jordan Neely in 2023, with a more serious manslaughter charge being dismissed just last week.
Vance expressed his support for Penny, stating that the New York district attorney's office had unfairly targeted him for standing up for himself in a challenging situation. Penny, aged 26, has accepted Vance's invitation, with Vance praising his courage and resilience in the face of adversity.
Vance, who also has a military background, including service in Iraq, emphasized that justice had been served in Penny's case and that the prosecution should never have taken place. Penny has garnered support from many who view him as a hero, although Neely's tragic death has sparked debates in the city regarding how to handle mental health crises that pose risks to public safety.
Witnesses reported that Neely, who was homeless and struggling with schizophrenia, had not physically harmed anyone but had made concerning statements about his willingness to face dire consequences. Neely, a former street performer, was found to have synthetic marijuana in his system and had a history of assaulting individuals at subway stations.
