In the trial of Daniel Penny, a Marine Corps veteran charged with the killing of Jordan Neely, witnesses have provided key testimonies that shed light on the fatal encounter. The incident occurred in May 2023, when Neely, a 30-year-old homeless man with a history of mental illness and prior criminal charges, boarded a subway train and began behaving erratically. He shouted at passengers, expressing his desperation over being hungry and thirsty, and made threats about someone dying that day. One witness, 19-year-old Ivette Rosario, described feeling frightened by Neely’s aggressive behavior and eventually witnessed Penny placing him in a chokehold, which led to Neely’s death. Rosario recorded part of the confrontation on her phone and called 911.
Another witness, journalist Juan Alberto Vazquez, testified that Neely’s actions seemed violent and desperate, prompting him to call for emergency help. Vazquez also mentioned a second man, who assisted Penny in restraining Neely while waiting for the police. Penny’s defense centers on his actions as a form of self-defense and an attempt to protect others from Neely’s unpredictable behavior.
The trial raises questions about the use of force in public spaces and has sparked debates around issues of mental health and homelessness in New York City. If convicted, Penny faces up to 19 years in prison.
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