Daniel Penny finally spoke out about the incident with Jordan Neely. The Marine veteran, who in May put homeless Jordan Neely into a deadly chokehold, broke his silence.
Penny stated in an interview published by the New York Post on Saturday that he is “deeply moved” by Neely’s death.
Penny said, “It is tragic what happened to him.” “Hopefully, we’ll be able to change the system which has so badly failed us.”
Penny, the man who was charged criminally over the incident refuted all claims that he had been racist for restraint Neely, an African-American. The Marine veteran said flatly that the incident had “nothing to do with race.”
“I judge people based on character.” Penny clarified that he was not a “white supremacist”. “It’s funny, I mean.” Everyone who has ever met me will tell you that I love everyone, all cultures.
You can tell from my past, my adventures, and my travels around the globe. Penny said, “I was planning a trip to Africa before it happened.”
Penny told The Post that Neely had entered the subway car as he was on his way to the gym on May 1. Neely began screaming about being hungry, tired, and going to prison. He was reportedly suffering from mental illness.
Penny allegedly put Neely in a chokehold after passengers reported that Neely had been yelling, acting erratically, and yelling when Penny intervened. Penny’s attorneys have claimed that the Marine veteran tried to protect himself and other passengers by restraining Neely.
Authorities are still trying to determine the extent of Neely’s threat against passengers. Juan Alberto Vazquez said that Neely yelled and threw down his jacket, but he didn’t physically attack anyone.
But an eyewitness stated that Penny was a “hero” and recalled that Neely was using words like “kill” and “bullet” when he was yelling.
The retiree said, “It was self-defense and I know in my heart that I helped a lot of people that day who could have been hurt.”
“I was reading my book on the train when I heard someone utter this rhetoric. He said: “I’ll kill an F if it means I have to.” The woman in her 60s explained, “I’ll go to prison, I’ll take the bullet.
The veteran, 24, told the Post he didn’t regret the encounter or feel ashamed.
Penny replied, “I always do what I believe is right.”
Penny will be back in court in July. If convicted, she could face a maximum 15-year prison sentence.
