‘We stand with Daniel Penny’: Ron DeSantis throws his shoulders at ex-Marine

Ron DeSantis has voiced his support for the ex-Marine charged with second-degree manslaughter in the death of homeless Jordan Neely on a New York City subway.

“We must defeat the Soros-funded DAs, stop the pro-criminal agenda of the left, and reclaim the streets for law-abiding citizens.

“We stand with Good Samaritans like Daniel Penny. Let’s show this Marine… America is behind him,” DeSantis tweeted Friday.

In his post, the prospective GOP candidate for the 2024 White House posted a link to a crowdfunding page intended to raise money for Penny’s legal fees. At the time of writing, that page has raised $900,000.

On Friday, Penny, 24, was released pending trial after turning himself in at 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.

DeSantis received a mixed response when he rowed after Penny, with some criticizing him for supporting vigilance while others saying it was a strong move.

Conservative blog Red state wrote in response to the governor’s comments that his remarks are “another clear sign that he is preparing to run for higher office, i.e. the presidency, in 2024 or 2028, most likely 2024.”

On Saturday, DeSantis wades into Iowa’s hand-to-hand politicization at a congressman’s annual picnic and Iowa Republican Party fundraiser.

It will be DeSantis’ first trip to the early proving grounds since the Florida legislature was adjourned last week after months of giving the governor a conservative agenda that he is expected to tout once he announces his campaign.

RedState notes in its report that public statements such as the governor’s comments about Jordan Neely “will play well with conservative voters.” The question is how it comes across to the general public.’

Neely was a former subway performer known for impersonating Michael Jackson, but in recent years he had been going through hard times and battling schizophrenia.

His death sparked protests, while others embraced Penny as a hero. His lawyers say he acted in self-defense. Lawyers for Neely’s family said Neely did no harm to anyone and did not deserve to die.

An autopsy ruled Neely’s death a homicide due to neck compression. “Jordan Neely should be alive today,” said Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg.

Penny didn’t speak to reporters. During a brief interrogation, Penny looked straight ahead, his hands cuffed.

He spoke softly, offering one-word answers to Judge Kevin McGrath as his attorney, Steve Raiser, put an arm around his shoulder.

If convicted, he could face up to 15 years in prison.

Ira Judelson, who has been handling bonds for famous New York businesses for decades, said, “I don’t know what was going on in his head, but it seemed like he wanted to get this over with and move on. ‘

According to Judelson, Penny is “not a flight risk.” He said, “I’ve been doing this for 25 years and in my opinion he will answer and be present at all his court hearings.”

He added, “I don’t know what happened on that train. I can tell you that Mr. Penny will appear in court.’

According to the bail terms, Penny’s parents put down $10,000 in cash and guaranteed the other $90,000 if he ran.

Penny will have to report to Judelson once a week and has handed in his passport. Judelson revealed that Penny is soon to graduate from a New York university and wants to become an architect.

His parents were not in court on the advice of Judelson, who sent a security guard to make sure Penny got through his first trial.

Judelson said, “The trial went smoothly. Penny’s life is a whirlwind at the moment. His name pops up everywhere.

Assistant District Attorney Joshua Steinglass said Neely had made threats and “scared passengers” when Penny approached him from behind and put him in a chokehold.

Penny “continued to choke Mr. Neely for several minutes,” even after he stopped moving, Steinglass said.

A freelance journalist who captured Neely struggling to free himself and then falling unconscious said he yelled at passengers and begged for money on board the train, but never got physical with anyone.

Penny, with the help of two other passengers, pinned Neely to the floor of the subway and held him in a chokehold.

Neely’s death has sparked uproar over many issues, including how the city treats people with mental illness, as well as crime, race, and vigilance.

Police questioned Penny, who is white, in the aftermath, but released him without charge. Neely was black.

Thomas Kenniff, a lawyer for Penny, said it was not his intention to harm Neely and that he is handling the situation with the “integrity and honor that characterize who he is and that characterize his honorable service in the U.S. Marine Corps’.

Donte Mills, an attorney for Neely’s family, disputed Penny’s version of events, saying the veteran “acted indifferently.” He didn’t care about Jordan, he cared about himself. And we can’t let that stand.’

‘Mr. Neely didn’t attack anyone.’ Mills said this Friday at a press conference. “He didn’t touch anyone. He didn’t hit anyone. But he had suffocated to death.’

Neely’s father, Andre Zachery, cried as another family lawyer, Lennon Edwards, recounted the final moments before Penny tackled Neely to the ground and put him in a chokehold. “What did he think would happen?” asked Mills.

Neely, remembered by some commuters for his Michael Jackson impersonations, had faced homelessness and mental illness in recent years, friends said.

He had been arrested several times and recently pleaded guilty to assaulting a 67-year-old woman exiting a subway station in 2021.

Mills said Neely’s outlook changed after his mother was killed by her boyfriend in 2007.

“No one on that train asked Jordan, ‘What’s wrong, how can I help you?’ Mills, urging New Yorkers in a similar situation, said, “Don’t attack. Don’t choke. Don’t kill.

‘Don’t take anyone’s life. Don’t take someone’s loved one because they’re in a bad place.”

Roger Abrams, a public health representative, said he saw Neely on the subway a week before his death.

Neely was confused and told people he was hungry and needed change. Abrams said he approached Neely and asked him why he’s not performing anymore.

“I don’t feel well,” Abrams recalled Neely saying.

The Manhattan district attorney’s office held off on filing charges in part because prosecutors wanted to know more about what happened on board the train.

The delay sparked protests in the city. Some people climbed onto subway tracks, disrupting service and leading to arrests.

Mayor Eric Adams said on Wednesday that Neely’s death should not have happened.

In a second-degree conviction for manslaughter in New York, a jury must find a person guilty of reckless conduct that carried an unjustified risk of death, knowingly disregarded that risk, and acted in a manner that was very different from how a reasonable person would would act in a similar situation. situation.

A judge authorized Penny’s release on $100,000 bail and ordered him to surrender his passport and not leave New York without permission. Prosecutors said they are seeking a grand jury indictment. Penny is due back in court on July 17.