A Manhattan jury has returned a “Not guilty” verdict on the charge of criminally negligent homicide against Daniel Penny, the man accused of killing Jordan Neely on a New York Subway back in May 2023. On Dec. 9, Penny was acquitted after the more serious charge of manslaughter was thrown out on Dec 6.
The jury agreed with Penny’s defense team that the veteran was justified in trying to help fellow passengers when Neely became belligerent and threatened to “kill” someone. During closing arguments on Thursday, Dec. 5, Penny’s lawyer, Steven Raiser, asked “Who do you want on the next train ride with you?”
“The guy with the earbuds minding his own business who you know would be there for you if something happened? Or perhaps you just hope that someone like Jordan Neely does not enter that train when you are all alone, all alone in a crowd of others frozen with fear?”
Dozens of witnesses were called during the trial and both media and politicians have voiced their positions openly, including NYC Mayor Eric Adams who had said that Penny did “what we should have done as a city” by protecting fellow passengers.
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