Marine Veteran Surrenders to Police over Jordan Neely Death
A Marine veteran, who was captured on a viral video choking Jordan Neely on a New York City subway, has surrendered to the police.
He now faces a second-degree manslaughter charge.
The incident has sparked discussions about the city’s efforts to care for the homeless and individuals suffering from mental illness.
MSNBC Anchor Lindsey Reiser provides a live report from the courthouse.
The Neely family and protesters have been demanding justice for nearly two weeks, and they are expected to hold a press conference shortly.
The decision to charge the Marine veteran with manslaughter was made by the District Attorney’s office in consultation with the NYPD, without presenting it to a grand jury.
The suspect, identified as Penny, arrived at the courthouse early in the morning and is now facing charges of second-degree manslaughter, which carries a maximum sentence of up to 15 years in prison.
The incident occurred on May 1st when a viral video was released showing Penny subduing Neely, who was experiencing homelessness and working as a subway performer impersonating Michael Jackson.
Witnesses stated that Neely had been threatening passengers, claiming he was hungry and ready to die.
Although witnesses did not believe Neely posed an immediate physical threat, they saw Penny use a chokehold that proved to be lethal.
Other passengers also intervened in the situation, but it remains unclear if they will face charges.
After the medical examiner ruled Neely’s death a homicide, protests erupted across the city, with activists demanding justice for Jordan Neely.
Some even disrupted subway services by jumping onto the tracks.
Neely had a criminal record, but this was unknown to the passengers at the time.
The family’s attorneys will speak at the upcoming press conference, expressing their views on the situation.
They have referred to Penny as a “judge, jury, and executioner,” while Penny’s attorney claims that his actions were aimed at ensuring the safety of fellow passengers and that he risked his own life in the process.
The developments surrounding the case have raised significant questions about the treatment of the homeless and individuals with mental illness in the city.
The outcome of the trial will be closely watched as it could have implications for how such cases are handled in the future.
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