Furious family and friends of ex-Marine Daniel Penny label manslaughter charge ‘disgusting’

Outraged friends and family of ex-Marine Daniel Penny have dismissed his manslaughter charge for the stranglehold of Jordan Neely on the subway as “disgusting.”

The 24-year-old veteran’s loved ones said he could “always count on him if you needed help” and believe he is “put on track” by the justice system.

“Here’s a young man who served our country,” Justine Baldwin, Penny’s cousin, told the New York Post. “What about the other two gentlemen on the subway who helped (hold down Neely)? They haven’t even been given a name.’

Penny has seen a surge of support in the wake of the May 1 murder, and a crowdfunding effort has already passed $1 million.

Penny has been charged with manslaughter after killing homeless schizophrenic Jordan Neely in a stranglehold on May 1

The ex-Marine was arrested this week for the murder of Neely on a Manhattan subway, who allegedly threatened a subway before Penny and others subdued him.

While footage of Penny restraining Neely sparked controversy, his relatives described him as “calm” and a “nice boy.”

Some have tried to portray the veteran as a privileged individual in the aftermath of the incident, but those who knew him revealed that he grew up in a middle-class military family on Long Island.

“He was always there for his family and his sisters,” Baldwin added. “Danny has always been quiet, he comes from a quiet family.”

Neighbors reportedly added that he once even lived out of a van, previously sharing a three-bedroom home with his three sisters and parents.

“Danny was always funny and goofy and never hurt anyone,” said the Marine’s boyfriend, Devin Marino.

“He was always super inclusive,” he added. “His family was very nice and had an open door policy.”

According to his family, the mental health of Jordan Neely, a homeless person and Michael Jackson impersonator, has drastically deteriorated in recent years

Penny, 24, was charged with second-degree manslaughter, which carries a maximum sentence of 15 years in prison. He is pictured with his lawyer

Neighbors who knew Penny and his family in West Islip also praised the veteran, while Marcia Mulcahy, who lived opposite him for four years, described him as “a sweet child.”

“The family couldn’t have been nicer,” she added. “Just look at the fundraiser to see how people feel about him.

“We all contribute. He was just trying to help on the subway. Of course it was a scary situation and it all went wrong. But he didn’t go in there to hurt anyone. He was trying to help.’

Mulcahy referenced a GiveSendGo fundraiser set up by Penny’s attorney to fund his legal fees, which have already topped $1 million.

The page reached the $1 million mark in the hours after Florida Governor Ron DeSantis tweeted a link to the page. On Friday, Penny, 24, was released pending trial after turning himself in to a police station and appearing in court to face criminal charges. He made no plea.

Bail officer Ira Judelson told DailyMail.com that Penny was “very quiet and nervous” and was “respectful” when he was arrested and charged.

A fundraiser for Daniel Penny’s legal fees soon passed the $1 million mark

Penny is pictured being handcuffed in the back of a police car after turning himself in

Penny’s attorney revealed the veteran deployed twice during four years of service in the Marines, rising to the rank of sergeant before being honorably discharged in 2021.

He turned himself in to the police following the death of Neely, a former subway performer known for his Michael Jackson impersonation. In recent years, he had been going through some hard times and was battling schizophrenia.

Protests erupted after footage was released of Penny holding him in a chokehold, while others embraced the Marine as a hero.

Penny’s lawyers argued that he acted in self-defense, while Neely’s family’s lawyer said he was not harming anyone and did not deserve to die.