Daniel Penny, a 26-year-old Marine veteran, was acquitted of criminally negligent homicide in the subway chokehold death of Jordan Neely. After over 24 hours of deliberations spanning five days, the jury delivered its verdict, sparking a volatile reaction in the courtroom.
The decision elicited a mix of cheers, clapping, and protests. Neely's father, visibly upset, cursed loudly and was removed by court officers. Others in the gallery voiced their anger, with one man shouting, "It's a small world, buddy," and another declaring, "No justice in this racist f***ing country." One woman was overcome with tears, highlighting the emotional intensity of the case.
Penny, who had maintained a stoic demeanor throughout the trial, briefly smiled as he left the courtroom. His defense team celebrated quietly, embracing at the counsel table. This marked the end of a contentious trial that captivated public attention.
Earlier, the jury had struggled to reach a consensus on whether Penny's actions constituted second-degree manslaughter. After 23 hours of deliberation over four days, they indicated deadlock, prompting Judge Maxwell Wiley to dismiss the manslaughter charge at the prosecution's request. Penny's defense team sought a mistrial, arguing that continued deliberation risked producing a "coercive or compromised verdict," but this was denied.
The manslaughter charge required proving that Penny's actions were reckless and grossly deviated from reasonable behavior. For criminally negligent homicide, the jury had to find that Penny engaged in "blameworthy conduct" without recognizing the risk of death. Ultimately, the jury decided there was insufficient evidence to convict Penny under this standard.
The decision to let Penny walk free speaks to the deep-seated racial biases that shape legal outcomes in this country. Our thoughts go out to the Jordan Neely family.
Link: ABC 7