Daniel Penny, a Marine veteran who put Jordan Neely – a 30-year-old Black homeless man – in a deadly chokehold, has spoken out and mentioned it “had nothing to do with race.”
Penny, the 24-year-old white man who authorities charged with manslaughter within the second diploma virtually two weeks after Neely’s loss of life, opened as much as the New York Submit after the loss of life sparked a number of protests in addition to conversations on race, the remedy of people who find themselves homeless and psychological well being.
“This had nothing to do with race,” mentioned Penny, who was freed pending trial after his arraignment.
He additionally informed The Submit: “I decide an individual primarily based on their character. I’m not a white supremacist.”
Penny added that his travels previous to Neely’s loss of life alongside along with his previous converse to his character and declared that he loves “all cultures.”
He went on to say that he’s “deeply saddened by the lack of life.”
“It’s tragic what occurred to him. Hopefully, we will change the system that’s so desperately failed us,” Penny mentioned.
Photograph by Ed Jones/AFP through Getty Pictures
Penny’s feedback come weeks after the Could 1 loss of life that adopted him putting Neely in a chokehold for roughly quarter-hour, a witness mentioned. Medical experts dominated the loss of life a murder, citing the reason for loss of life as “compression of neck (chokehold).”
Witnesses mentioned Neely, recognized for being a Michael Jackson impersonator, had begun yelling over not having meals and water together with saying that “he didn’t care” if he went to jail or died.
Penny and his attorneys, in an announcement, mentioned Neely had been “aggressively threatening” him and others on the subway automobile earlier than the Marine veteran – with the assistance of passengers – “acted to guard themselves till assist arrived.”
Witnesses mentioned that Neely didn’t assault anybody on the subway, in keeping with CBS Information.
Penny, when requested by The Submit if he felt “he did something to be ashamed of,” mentioned he didn’t.
“I don’t, I imply, I at all times do what I feel is true,” he mentioned.
Penny may spend as much as 15 years in jail if convicted of manslaughter within the second diploma. Neely’s household and their attorneys argued the cost isn’t sufficient, calling on Penny to face homicide fees.
“We want a full cup of justice right here, and we’re asking for us to proceed to press ahead till that occurs,” mentioned Lennon Edwards, an lawyer for the household, earlier this month.
A number of politicians have spoken out on Neely’s loss of life together with Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) whereas Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, who appears to be like to develop into a Republican presidential candidate, shared a authorized protection fund for Penny and referred to him as a “good Samaritan.”
Rev. Al Sharpton slammed the Republican’s feedback in a eulogy for Neely on Friday.
“Apparently you don’t know what the nice Samaritan was,” he mentioned.
“A superb Samaritan helps these in bother, they don’t choke him out.”