MANHATTAN, NEW YORK CITY: In New York City subway choking incident, ex-US Marine Daniel Penny was released on bond after he was charged with second-degree manslaughter and handcuffed. Jordan Neely, a homeless man was put in a chokehold for around 15 minutes, which possibly killed him. The 23-year-old was charged after a ‘thorough investigation’ as per Assistant district attorney Joshua Steinglass. It included interviews with eyewitnesses, 911 callers, and responding officers before criminal charges were slapped against him.
One of the co-passengers recorded the incident on their mobile phone camera, which showed Neely in a chokehold on May 1. The prosecutor added that even though Neely stopped moving for several minutes at some point, Penny continued to hold him under a fatal grip for a period of time. Defense attorney Thomas Kenniff said Penny "has been fully cooperative throughout this process." The accused representative told the press that his client "turned himself in here voluntarily and with the sort of dignity and integrity that is characteristic of his dignity of service to this grateful nation." Penny surrendered a day later after the Manhattan district attorney's office confirmed that he would be arrested and booked for second-degree manslaughter. The maximum penalty, if found guilty under this count, can be up to 15 years behind bars, as per an ABC News report.
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'Don't choke, don't kill, don't take someone's life'
Meanwhile, Neely's family’s attorney Lennon Edwards said Penny should have known that Neely could possibly die after the victim struggled during the chokehold. Penny "acted with indifference," Neely family attorney Donte Mills added "And we can't let that stand," during a news conference. "For everybody saying, 'I've been on the train and I've been afraid before, and I can't tell you what I would've done in that situation.' I'm gonna tell you -- ask how you can help. Please, don't attack. Don't choke, don't kill, don't take someone's life."
'Unintended and unforeseen death'
Mills further said, "We don't want anybody afraid on the subway. But we want people to look at those that may be there in that situation and say, 'Why?' And, 'How can I help them or make a difference'" Attorneys representing Penny said on Thursday, May 11, “[He] risked his own life and safety, for the good of his fellow passengers," and "the unfortunate result was the unintended and unforeseen death of Mr Neely."
Penny was released on bond and will appear before the court on July 17.
