An online crowdfunding page has raised nearly $2 million for the legal defense of Daniel Penny, the former Marine charged last week with second-degree manslaughter in the chokehold death of Jordan Neely on the New York City subway earlier this month. .
A “GiveSendGo” page titled “Daniel Penny’s Legal Defense Fund” lists $1,883,357 raised as of Sunday night. According to the page, it was created by the law firm Raiser & Kenniff, PC, and the funds are for legal fees “from any criminal charges filed and any future civil charges that may arise.” shall arise, as well as expenses in connection with his defense.”
The Manhattan District Attorney’s office arraigned and charged Penny with second-degree manslaughter last week in the death of 30-year-old Neely, who died after Penny placed him in a chokehold during a subway incident. .
Neely lost consciousness while being choked and was pronounced dead at the hospital.
Neely, who is Black, reportedly struggled with homelessness and mental illness and yelled at subway passengers and was confronted by some. Attorneys for Penny, who is white, claim the former Marine never intended to harm Neely and acted to protect himself and other subway passengers.
The city’s chief medical examiner’s office ruled that Neely’s death was caused by compression of the neck, but noted that the legal system would determine any criminal culpability.
Neely’s family said Penny “needs to go to jail.”
Penny voluntarily turned herself in to authorities on Friday to face her second-degree manslaughter charge. He did not enter a plea in the case. Penny could face up to 15 years in prison if convicted of the charge.
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