When the law itself is tested, one brave veteran finds unexpected support in his stand against the criminal chaos that has gripped the city.
At a time when justice seems to be wavering in the face of political pressures, individuals of note, including the famed musician Kid Rock, have stepped up to champion Marine veteran Daniel Penny. Facing charges over his response to a violent and threatening situation in a New York subway, Penny’s actions resulted in the death of repeat-offender Jordan Neely. The musician’s donation of $5,000 to Penny’s defense fund is a resounding endorsement of a man thrust into a perilous predicament.
The act of restraining Neely, as Penny did along with two other passengers, was met with charges of manslaughter by District Attorney Alvin Bragg. However, before the charges were officially laid, there was already a rallying cry for financial support to cover Penny’s impending legal battle. The effort, organized on the crowdfunding platform GiveSendGo, amassed an impressive total of more than $2.1 million. Kid Rock’s contribution was accompanied by a bold statement: “Mr. Penny is a hero. Alvin Bragg is a POS. Kid Rock.”
All the funds collected are earmarked for Penny’s defense, and any surplus will be channeled towards mental health causes within New York City, a city that bears witness to its impact every day.
WATCH:
BREAKING: Daniel Penny is being charged with second-degree involuntary manslaughter
Daniel Penny is the Marine who choked Jordan Neely to death on the NYC subway.
DA Alvin Bragg is charging him with second-degree involuntary manslaughter for the death of Jordan Neely, which… pic.twitter.com/XddPUOCvaF
— Mario Nawfal (@MarioNawfal) May 12, 2023
Jordan Neely, the man who died, had a lengthy criminal history, with over 40 arrests, including a guilty plea for an attempted child kidnapping. Despite this, Bragg decided to press charges against Penny, who had acted against Neely’s threatening behavior on public transport.
Following the official charge, Penny, in a demonstration of accountability, turned himself into the authorities. His charge? Manslaughter in the Second Degree, according to ABC Correspondent CeFaan Kim‘s tweet. This decision stemmed directly from Bragg’s office.
The New York City medical examiner declared that the cause of Neely’s death was a “chokehold,” classifying the incident as a “homicide.” However, this merely establishes the cause of death, not the intent or culpability, which will be determined in court.
I’m stunned that Alvin Bragg is going to charge Daniel Penny in the death of Jordan Neely… said no one with half a brain. A white man killed a black man in New York. There’s no way he wasn’t gonna get charged. If there’s any justice, he’ll be acquitted.
— Carmine Sabia (@CarmineSabia) May 11, 2023
Penny’s lawyers offered a poignant statement, expressing condolences to Neely’s loved ones and highlighting the heart of the matter – mental illness. The firm, Raiser and Kenniff, P.C., emphasized that Neely’s aggressive behavior resulted from untreated mental illness. When he threatened Penny and other passengers, they acted in self-defense. They called for a renewed commitment from elected officials to address the mental health crisis that plagues the streets and subways of the city.
The left is losing the Jordan Neely debate. Their hysterical and sinister overreactions have lost their potency. Conservatives are finally learning not to play along. Bragg might still try to imprison the Good Samaritan, but he’s already lost in the court of public opinion.
— Charlie Kirk (@charliekirk11) May 5, 2023
Witnesses painted a picture of the incident that day. Neely, according to The New York Post and freelance journalist Juan Alberto Vazquez, embarked on an erratic and aggressive tirade, expressing a lack of concern for possible incarceration.
NYC Mayor Eric Adams said in a press conference that “Jordan Neely did not deserve to die.” However, others who shared the subway car with Penny and Neely felt gratitude for Penny’s intervention.
As one 66-year-old woman put it, “I hope he has a great lawyer, and I’m praying for him.” Adding, “And I pray that he gets treated fairly, I really do. Because after all of this ensued, I went back and made sure that I said, ‘thank you’ to him.” This narrative demonstrates the potential personal cost of stepping in to protect oneself and others in the face of violence, an act many view as heroic.
Sources: Conservativebrief, NBC 4, NYPost