Marine veteran Daniel Penny has turned himself in to the NYPD for a second-degree manslaughter charge against Jordan Neely.
Penny, 24, turned herself in this morning at the NYPD’s 5th Precinct. He will soon go to court to be charged with second-degree manslaughter, which carries a sentence of up to 15 years.
He put Neely – a mentally ill, homeless man with a record of 40 previous arrests including violent assaults – in a chokehold after Neely yelled that he was ‘fed up’ and wanted to go to jail.
Daniel Penny, 24, turned himself in this morning at the NYPD’s 5th Precinct. He will soon go to court to be charged with second-degree manslaughter, which carries a sentence of up to 15 years. He is pictured with his lawyer
Penny, dressed in a form-fitting black suit, Vans and a white shirt, said nothing as he entered the police station
The 24-year-old was accompanied by his lawyer and a security guard
His lawyers issued a statement last night saying he does not deserve the charges.
A 66-year-old female witness to the incident spoke anonymously The New York Post last night on the eve of Penny’s arraignment.
She said there are more videos of the altercation leading up to the stranglehold that she believes will clear Penny of any wrongdoing.
“So I believe those videos will come out, maybe people do it anonymously.
“I hope he has a great lawyer and I pray for him. And I pray that he is treated fairly, I really am.
“Because after all this I went back and made sure to say ‘thank you’ to him.”
Daniel Penny has yet to make any sort of public statement, although his attorneys have released statements on his behalf
Penny (left) will surrender herself to the NYPD today and will face charges of second-degree manslaughter for placing Jordan Neely (right)
Neely’s mental health had deteriorated dramatically in recent years, according to his family
She said Neely caused the stranglehold by threatening the entire train. She says passengers thought Neely was going to kill one of them.
“He said, ‘I don’t care. I’ll take a bullet, I’m going to jail,’ because he would kill people on the train.
“He said, ‘I’d kill an asshole. I do not give a hoot. I’ll take a bullet. I’m going to prison.’
“This gentleman, Mr. Penny, did not get up. Have had no contact with Mr. He didn’t say a word. It was all Mr. Neely threatening the passengers. If he doesn’t get what he wants,’ she said.
Finally Penny got up and pulled him to the ground. Two other men helped subdue him.
Neither has been charged.
According to witnesses on the subway, Neely had threatened to kill someone because he wanted a ticket to the prison where he would eat regularly
In their statement last night, Penny’s attorneys said, “When Mr. Penny, a decorated Navy veteran, stepped in to protect himself and his fellow New Yorkers, his well-being was not assured.
“He has risked his own life and safety for the good of his fellow passengers.
“The unfortunate result was the accidental and unforeseen death of Mr. Neely.
“We are confident that once all the facts and circumstances surrounding this tragic incident come to light, Mr. Penny will be fully cleared of any wrongdoing.”
Neely’s family is calling for tougher charges. His uncle said last night that the Marine deserved to be charged with murder.
Manhattan DA Alvin Bragg was under intense pressure to charge Penny, with Democrats and protesters calling him a death homicide.
Penny, meanwhile, has received a wave of support from Navy veterans, Republicans and New Yorkers fed up with the city’s crime and homelessness.
Protests have erupted near the Broadway Lafayette subway station where Neely died.
In an effort to calm public outcry and debate over the matter, New York Mayor Eric Adams initially urged patience.
Last night he spoke more sympathetically and appealed to Neely’s family.
“One thing we can control is how our city reacts to this tragedy. One thing we can say for sure: Jordan Neely didn’t deserve to die.
Jordan Neely’s life mattered. He suffered from a serious mental illness, but that was not the cause of his death.
“His death was a tragedy that should never have happened.”
Manhattan DA Alvin Bragg was under pressure from protesters to press charges against the Marine