Daniel Penny Kills Jordan Neely in Subway Chokehold Incident

In May 2023, the encounter between Daniel Penny and Jordan Neely occurred on an F train in New York City. Neely, a 30-year-old homeless man, reportedly demonstrated erratic behavior that included shouting threats at passengers. Witnesses testified that Neely raised his fists and appeared menacing, prompting Penny, a 24-year-old Marine veteran, to intervene by applying a chokehold to him. This action ultimately led to Neely's death. As the trial progressed, testimonies from law enforcement officials characterized Neely as a 'dirty drug user' with a history of problematic behavior, while Penny maintained that his actions were in defense of himself and the other passengers. Soon after the incident, police found that Neely still had a pulse but was unresponsive. Officers employed Narcan in an attempt to revive him, but it was unsuccessful. Penny's defense argued that he did not intend to kill Neely. They claimed his motive was to protect others from perceived danger. Meanwhile, prosecutors indicated that Penny held Neely in the chokehold for an excessive duration, arguing that he acted recklessly. They noted that while Neely posed a threat, his death should not have occurred. The case has raised significant public interest regarding issues of subway safety and the limits of self-defense. The trial continues to attract attention, revealing the complexities of the incident, including witness accounts and the broader societal implications regarding mental health and crime in New York's public transportation system.