Global Courant 2023-05-13 20:03:37
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis is raising money for New York City Marine veteran Daniel Penny, who faces criminal charges for the death of Jordan Neely, a homeless man who witnesses and prosecutors say “made threats and frightened people” in the subway.
Penny, 24, was arraigned in Manhattan criminal court on Friday and is charged with second-degree manslaughter after putting Neely in a fatal chokehold. Defense attorneys allege Penny acted to protect herself and other endangered passengers.
DeSantis shared a fundraiser Friday for Penny’s legal defense, calling him a “Good Samaritan” and criticizing Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg as a “pro-criminal” and “Soros-funded” prosecutor.
“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.
NYC NAVY VETERAN ACCUSED FOR DEATH OF MAN MAKING THREATS AND SCARYING PASSENGERS: Prosecutors
U.S. Marine veteran Daniel Penny is walked out of New York’s 5th Precinct Police Station in Lower Manhattan on May 12, 2023, on his way to arraignment after surrendering to authorities after being charged with second-degree manslaughter in the stranglehold of Jordan Neely. The death of Jordan Neely – widely known as a Michael Jackson impersonator who often performed on the train – sparked outrage earlier this month. (TIMOTHY A. CLARY/AFP via Getty Images)
He tweeted a link to a GiveSendGo page set up by Raiser & Kenniff, PC, the law firm Penny represents.
“Funds are being raised to pay for Mr. Penny’s legal fees incurred from criminal charges and any future civil litigation that may arise, as well as costs associated with his defense,” the fundraiser’s description reads. “All contributions are greatly appreciated. Any proceeds raised in excess of what is necessary to cover Mr. Penny’s legal defense will be donated to a mental health advocacy program in New York City.”
The GiveSendGo campaign raised $853,213 at time of publication, with over 18,000 backers.
MARINE VETERAN GETS CHARGED BY MANHATTAN DA IN JORDAN NEELY SUBWAY CHOKEHOLD DEATH
On May 1, Penny, a 24-year-old Marine veteran and student, put 30-year-old Jordan Neely in a fatal chokehold after what police described as an altercation on a northbound F train.
Neely reportedly threatened passengers on the subway and had a mental episode. He screamed and paced back and forth when Penny intervened, tackling him to the ground and putting him in a chokehold, witnesses and police said.
The city’s medical examiner determined that Neely died from the compression against his neck.
Marine veteran Daniel Penny, right, fatally strangled Jordan Neely, left, on a NYC subway after the homeless man threatened passengers. (Mills & Edwards/All Trails)
After the incident, Penny’s lawyers said Neely had a documented history of violent and erratic behavior, which was the clear result of persistent and untreated mental illness.
“When Mr. Penny, a decorated Marine veteran, stepped in to protect himself and his fellow New Yorkers, his well-being was not assured,” Penny’s attorney Steve Raiser said. “He risked his own life and safety for the good of his fellow passengers. The unfortunate result was the accidental and unforeseen death of Mr. Neely. We are confident that once all the facts and circumstances surrounding this tragic incident come to light, Mr. Penny shall be fully absolved of any wrongdoing.”
NYC MAYOR ERIC ADAMS SAYS ‘JORDAN NEELY DID NOT DESERVE TO DIE’
Daniel Penny leaves the NYPD’s 5th Precinct on Friday, May 12, 2023. Penny faces charges in connection with the death of subway driver Jordan Neely. (Julia Bonavita/Fox News Digital)
Neely’s family responded to the statement from Penny’s lawyers, saying it was not an apology or an apology, but rather a “character assassination and a clear example of why he felt he had the right to take Jordan’s life.”
“In the first paragraph he talks about how ‘good’ he is and in the next paragraph he talks about how ‘bad’ Jordan was in an attempt to convince us that Jordan’s life was ‘worthless,'” Neely family lawyers Donte Mills and Lennon said. Edwards. . “The truth is he knew nothing about Jordan’s history when he deliberately put his arms around Jordan’s neck and squeezed and kept squeezing.”
The lawyers also said in the last paragraph that Penny suggests the public is showing indifference to the likes of Jordan.
“It is clear that he is the one who acted indifferently, both when he killed Jordan and now in his first public message,” the lawyer said. “He never tried to help him. In short, his actions on the train, and now his words, show why he should be in prison.”
Prosecutors said Penny cooperated fully with police and the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office.
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A judge ordered Penny’s release Friday on a $100,000 bond signed by prosecutors and secured by surety Ira Judelson.
Penny faces up to five to 15 years in prison if convicted. He must appear in court again in July.
Fox News’ Rebecca Rosenberg, Marta Dhanis, Greg Wehner and Laura Ingle contributed to this report.
Chris Pandolfo is a writer for Fox News Digital. Send tips to [email protected] and follow him on Twitter @ChrisCPandolfo.
