A trial date has been set for Daniel Penny, a Marine Corps veteran and college student facing manslaughter charges in the chokehold death of Jordan Neely. The incident occurred in May when Neely, who had a history of mental illness and prior subway assaults, entered a subway train and began threatening passengers.
The trial is scheduled to begin on Oct. 8 and is expected to last four to six weeks, as per attorneys involved in the case. Penny's next court hearing is set for Sept. 17.
According to court documents, Penny, 24, placed Neely in a chokehold after the latter became irate and threatened passengers on the train. Video footage of the incident shows Penny and another man restraining Neely until the subway car reached the next station.
Witnesses have provided conflicting perspectives on the events that unfolded. While one witness hailed Penny as a hero for protecting passengers from Neely's erratic behavior, another individual who recorded the incident did not believe Neely was in immediate danger.
Penny initially cooperated with authorities and was released, but he turned himself in 11 days later when he was charged with manslaughter by the District Attorney's office. If convicted, Penny could face up to 15 years in prison for second-degree manslaughter.
Following Neely's death, concerns over transit safety in New York City have escalated. Governor Kathy Hochul deployed the National Guard and state troopers to assist with random bag checks in an effort to curb transit-related crimes.
Recent incidents, such as a fatal confrontation on a Brooklyn subway car where a passenger shot an armed assailant in self-defense, have underscored the ongoing challenges faced by commuters and law enforcement in ensuring public safety.
As the trial date approaches, tensions remain high, with the victim's family attorney expressing confidence in a conviction for Penny, whom he described as acting as 'judge, jury, and executioner' in the tragic subway altercation.
