NYC Subway Choking Death Update: Daniel Penny Speaks Out About Incident

US Marine facing felony charges in the chokehold death of Jordan Peely speaks out about the incident
Defendant Daniel Penny says that he does not regret what he did during the confrontation
The former Marine could be imprisoned for up to 15 years if found guilty of the charge

The suspect in the chokehold death of a man in a New York City subway, Daniel Penny, a former US Marine, speaks out about the incident, saying he does not regret what he did during the confrontation.

Penny, who currently faces felony charges for the murder of Jordan Peely, said that the incident was not about race, adding that he is not a white supremacist. He argues that the people who know him know he loves "all people" and "all cultures." The defendant added that he was planning a road trip through Africa before the incident.

NYC Subway Chokehold Death Suspect Speaks Out

The 24-year-old former Marine faces a felony charge of second-degree manslaughter for the death of the 30-year-old homeless Black man. The charge against the defendant carries a maximum of 15 years imprisonment, as per WWNO.

The confrontation between Penny and Neely occurred on May 1 inside a New York City subway train. The victim previously performed on subway platforms, impersonating the legendary entertainer Michael Jackson.

However, shortly before the incident with Penny, Neely was said to be aggressive, shouting that he was hungry and thirsty. A few moments later, the former Marine stepped in and placed the homeless Black man in a chokehold for a few minutes, causing the victim to be pronounced dead that same day.

In an interview, Penny said that the threats, the menacing, and the terror the Black man displayed in the subway were well-documented. The former Marine said that while Neely's death was tragic, he was hopeful that the United States could "change the system that's so desperately failed us."

Penny said that Neely was yelling and throwing trash before the confrontation, which he said was nothing like he had ever experienced. According to the New York Post, he said the incident was very different.

Vigilante Justice

In a statement, Penny's attorney, Thomas Kenniff, said that fellow passengers on the New York City subway train supported his client's account. The former Marine said that he was returning to Manhattan from school and planning to go to the gym on West 23rd Street before the confrontation occurred.

Top conservatives have hailed Penny as a hero for what he did during his confrontation with Peely on the train. However, others have called his act a form of "vigilante justice" plaguing the United States. The death of the Black man sparked racial justice protests in the city and calls for better care for homeless people.

The former Marine said that despite everything that happened, he was saddened by the loss of life that resulted from his confrontation with Neely. On the other hand, attorneys for the victim's family are calling for murder charges, said Insider.