Killing of Jordan Neely

On May 1, 2023, in New York City, Jordan Neely, a 30-year-old Black homeless man, was killed after being put in a chokehold by Daniel Penny, a 24-year-old White United States Marine Corps veteran while riding the New York City Subway. Neely boarded the car Penny was riding and began threatening passengers. After the train left the station, Penny approached Neely from behind to apply the chokehold, and maintained it in a sitting position until Neely went limp a few minutes after the train had reached the next stop. First responders unsuccessfully attempted to revive Neely, who was declared dead after being transported to a hospital. Penny submitted to voluntary questioning at a police precinct office, and was released without charge later the same day. Two days later, the medical examiner's office ruled that Neely's death was homicide by compression of the neck. A week after that, Penny was charged with second-degree manslaughter and released on bond. He was formally indicted by a grand jury, with a lesser charge of criminally negligent homicide added on June 28. Penny pleaded not guilty to both charges, under which he faced up to 15 years in prison. His trial began in October 2024 and concluded that December. The manslaughter charge was dismissed on the request of the prosecution after the jury deadlocked. He was then acquitted on the remaining charge of criminally negligent homicide. A wrongful death suit by Neely's father remained pending as of December 2024. Neely's death and Penny's acquittal sparked controversy and division along partisan and racial lines, renewing debates about New York City's treatment of people with similar histories of homelessness and mental illness. Supporters of Penny characterized him as a hero, highlighting his military service, calling him a Good Samaritan and noting he sought to protect other passengers from a dangerous individual. Critics of Penny portrayed him as a vigilante motivated by racism, whom authorities should have immediately arrested and charged with murder, but had not because of white supremacy. Donations to Penny's legal defense totaled nearly $3 million. Neely's criminal record, which included 42 convictions, including assaults, was another source of controversy.