Jordan Neely’s Killer Pleads Not Guilty To Charges of Homicide and Manslaughter

Jordan Neely’s New York City subway train death at the hands of marine veteran Daniel Penny is getting new updates as Penny was charged with second-degree manslaughter and criminally negligent homicide, to which he pleaded not guilty to both.

ABC News reports other documents related to Penny’s statement to the police that described how he felt he was protecting fellow transit passengers as he put Neely in a chokehold because Neely was “threatening everybody” during the May 1 incident.

Penny elaborated on what occurred next:

“We just went to the ground. He was trying to roll up, I had him pretty good. I was in the Marine Corps.”

However, police documentation reveals that other subway passengers did not consider Neely to be a serious threat, and that apart from his verbal outbursts he was generally nonviolent. Still, Penny proceeded to put the 30-year-old Neely in a chokehold that lasted for several minutes.

The 24-year-old killer was indicted on June 14 despite his claims of defending himself and others.

Alvin Bragg, the district attorney of Manhattan, does not see the righteousness of Penny’s actions against Neely, who was homeless at the time. In a statement, Bragg shared his thoughts while offering words of support for Neely’s family.

“Daniel Penny stands indicted for manslaughter after allegedly putting Jordan Neely in a deadly chokehold for several minutes until and after he stopped moving. I hope Mr. Neely’s loved ones are on the path towards healing as they continue to mourn this tragic loss,” said Bragg.

However, Penny remains confident in his innocence and firmly believes he “acted under the law,” according to his defense attorney Thomas Keniff.

The families of both men in attendance at the court hearing, with Neely’s family grieving his loss and urging justice in the upcoming trial.

Although this case is not one of police brutality specifically, it is considered a part of the Black Lives Matter movement, as the battle to recognize Black life continues.

Penny has since posted bail of $100,000 as he awaits his next court date, set for October 25.