Daniel Penny was found not guilty of criminally negligent homicide on Monday in the subway chokehold death of 30-year-old Jordan Neely, a homeless man with documented mental health issues. The verdict came after a jury deliberated for five days and ultimately deadlocked on a more severe manslaughter charge, prompting the judge to dismiss it. Had he been convicted of the homicide charge, Penny faced a sentence of up to four years in prison.
The jury’s decision sparked mixed emotions in the courtroom, with some expressing joy while others showed intense grief, including Neely’s father, who had to be removed after reacting loudly to the verdict. Outside the court, demonstrators chanted “no justice, no peace,” highlighting the societal divisions the case had surfaced, particularly along racial and political lines. Neely was Black, while Penny is white, with opinions divided on whether Penny was acting in self-defense or whether his actions were excessive and criminal.
Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg stated that the jury’s lengthy deliberation reflected the complexities of the case and emphasized the importance of a jury of Penny’s peers reaching the verdict. The jury, which consisted of seven women and five men, initially struggled to reach a consensus on the manslaughter charge before being allowed to consider the homicide charge.
Witnesses reported that before Penny encountered Neely on May 1, 2023, Neely had expressed feelings of despair and hunger. Penny, a former Marine, placed Neely in a chokehold said to have lasted nearly six minutes, which a medical examiner later ruled as the cause of death due to neck compression.
Neely’s family expressed deep disappointment in the verdict, with his uncle suggesting that the jury should have at least returned a lesser charge. The family’s lawyer called for Neely’s death to have a significant impact, urging individuals to approach those in distress with compassion rather than aggression.
Penny’s defense argued that he acted out of concern for the safety of other passengers, stating that he intended only to restrain Neely until help arrived. The defense contended that factors like Neely’s mental illness and substance use also contributed to his death, claiming the chokehold alone was not the sole cause.
Debates regarding subway safety, homelessness, and mental health intensified as the trial progressed, reflecting broader issues facing New York City. Prominent political figures expressed conflicting views, with some acknowledging Penny’s actions while others condemned them as unjustifiable.
To sum up, the verdict has sparked further discussion about the complexities of safety and mental health in urban environments and the need for focused efforts to address these critical societal issues. It is hoped that this incident can become a catalyst for meaningful dialogue and potential reforms that would positively affect vulnerable populations and improve public safety.