The ex-Marine who stands accused of fatally choking homeless Jordan Neely on a New York subway has received an astonishing amount of support, with over $1.9 million raised on his behalf.
The tragic incident unfolded on May 1, when Neely, aged 30, was held in a chokehold for 15 minutes, allegedly by 24-year-old Daniel Penny, a former Marine.
The distressing event was captured on video by a bystander and occurred in a subway car after Neely had voiced his frustration about not having access to food or drink.
It’s important to note that Neely had not posed a physical threat to any other passengers.
His death was officially ruled a homicide and sparked widespread outrage online, with people demanding justice for the lack of immediate arrests at the scene.
According to The New York Post, Neely’s mental health had deteriorated significantly after his mother was reportedly strangled to death and concealed in a suitcase when he was just 14 years old.
His aunt, Carolyn Neely, disclosed that this devastating loss had sent the young Neely into a downward spiral.
Regrettably, he did not receive the necessary assistance for his mental health struggles.
Carolyn expressed her frustration, stating, “My sister Christie was murdered in ’07 and after that, he has never been the same… It had a big impact on him. He developed depression, and it grew and became more serious. He was schizophrenic, suffering from PTSD. Doctors were aware of his condition and the treatment he needed. The entire system failed him. He slipped through the cracks.”
Journalist Juan Alberto Vázquez reported that Neely had been shouting on an F train in Manhattan before Penny intervened.
Vázquez claimed that Penny restrained Neely in a chokehold for approximately 15 minutes, causing him to lose consciousness. Neely was later pronounced dead.
Carolyn reiterated her concerns about the system’s failure to provide adequate care for her nephew’s mental health needs.
The Manhattan District Attorney’s office has announced that Penny will face charges of second-degree manslaughter.
Marine Veteran Daniel Penny who put Jordan Neely in a fatal chokehold on the New York City subway, was arraigned on a second-degree manslaughter charge. Penny posted $6,000 of his $100,000 bail while his parents guaranteed the entire bond. pic.twitter.com/8QA1yjOTSY
— Anonymous Patriot (@0331online) May 14, 2023
He surrendered himself to the New York City police on Friday, May 12, around 8:00 AM, as reported by CBS.
In the wake of Penny’s arrest and with bail set at $100,000, a GiveSendGo fundraising page was established to support him.
The response has been overwhelming, with donations exceeding $1.9 million at the time of writing.
The page explicitly states that the funds will be allocated towards covering Penny’s legal fees for any criminal charges and potential future civil lawsuits.
It also highlights that any remaining money will be donated to a mental health advocacy program in New York City.
Marcia Mulcahy, a neighbor who lived across the street from Penny and his family on Long Island, shared her perspective on the situation. She described him as a “nice kid” and pointed to the outpouring of support on the fundraising platform as evidence of people’s positive perception of him. Mulcahy emphasized that Penny had entered the subway with the intention of assisting in a scary situation, although things tragically took a wrong turn. She firmly believes that he did not harbor any intention to harm anyone and was merely trying to help.
