Global Courant 2023-05-06 00:41:59
A grand jury in New York City could begin weighing charges against a former U.S. Marine for the death of Jordan Neely on the subway as early as next week.
The veteran was captured on viral cellphone video holding the erratic 30-year-old homeless man in a headlock on a northbound F train until he lost consciousness and died on Monday.
Neely, who suffered from a mental illness, reportedly stormed into the subway around 2:30pm and began yelling aggressively at other passengers.
“He said he had no food or water, he was tired and he doesn’t care if he goes to jail,” said freelance journalist Juan Alberto Vazquez. told the New York Post.
MARINE VETERAN IN NYC SUBWAY CHOKEHOLD DEATH FACE HARD LEGAL ROAD, EXPERTS SAY
Alvin Bragg is likely to press charges against the former U.S. Marine accused of killing Jordan Neely, right, on the subway with a chokehold on May 1, 2023, experts told Fox News Digital. (Alex Kent via Getty/Paul Martinka)
“He started screaming all these things, took off his coat, a black coat he had and threw it on the ground,” said Vazquez, who filmed the fatal encounter.
The former Marine followed Neely and lowered him to the ground, while two other passengers helped restrain the deranged man, Vazquez said.
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The 24-year-old veteran, whose name is withheld from Fox News Digital, put his arm around Neely’s neck until he went limp.
First responders arrived at the Broadway-Lafayette Street/Bleecker Street station and attempted to resuscitate Neely.
Thomas Kenniff, representing the ex-Marine, stated that he was not informed that there would be a grand jury meeting next week.
“We have no information on the status of the investigation and no information to indicate that the grand jury will consider evidence in this case,” Kenniff said.
If a grand jury is convened by Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg to consider an indictment, Kenniff’s client would have the right to testify in his own defense.
The city’s medical examiner said Neely died of neck compression.
The tragic murder has sparked public outrage and deep division in the city.
Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, DN.Y., called the death a “murder” and criticized Mayor Eric Adams for failing to denounce the veteran’s actions.
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Protesters marched across the Manhattan Bridge Thursday night, where a person was filmed spray-painting “Jordan Neely was lynched.”
Protesters also gathered outside Bragg’s office in lower Manhattan on Friday to demand charges against the former Marine.
NYPD officers are performing CPR on a 30-year-old man who choked to death on a train in Manhattan on Monday, May 1, 2023 after allegedly threatening belt hangers, police said. (Paul Martinka)
Legal experts previously told Fox News Digital that the alleged Good Samaritan-turned-vigilante could face charges of second-degree manslaughter or negligent homicide — both minor felonies that don’t require a mandatory prison sentence.
Former Manhattan prosecutor Joan Illuzzi-Orbon called the death by stranglehold a “difficult investigation” and warned against “politicizing” the tragedy.
“At what point do we see him as a Good Samaritan versus someone who goes too far and takes the law into his own hands?” she asked earlier. “I feel for both sides, I really do. Of course, the man who died paid the ultimate price.”
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New Yorkers have become increasingly frustrated with the overwhelming number of homeless people, often suffering from mental illness, who use the subway system as a makeshift shelter.
Emmett Jones contributed to this story.
Rebecca Rosenberg is an accomplished journalist and author of books with a focus on crime and criminal justice. Email tips to rebecca.rosenberg@fox.com and @ReRosenberg.