Former Marine Daniel Penny gives first interview since Jordan Neely's chokehold death, explains why he's not a white supremacist



Former Marine Daniel Penny gave his first interview since Jordan Neely's chokehold death to the New York Post on Saturday. In the interview, Penny explained that he is not a white supremacist or a vigilante.

Last week, Penny was charged with second-degree manslaughter in connection with the chokehold death of Neely on a New York City subway car on May 1. Witnesses say Neely was acting erratic and aggressive to other subway riders.

Neely's reported criminal record includes 42 prior arrests between 2013 and 2021, including four for assault. At the time of his death, he had an active warrant for felony assault in connection with a physical altercation in 2021.

During Neely's funeral on Friday, Rev. Al Sharpton said, "When they choked Jordan, they put their arms around all of us."

Meanwhile, the GiveSendGo fundraising campaign for Penny's legal defense has raised more than $2.7 million.

The Boston Globe accused Republicans of "financing white vigilantism."

The Guardian stressed the races of Penny and Neely in a recent article, and used a quote from attorney Ron Kuby.

"It’s not new, and it’s not hard to explain," Kuby said. "Your Penny is a white Marine, and his victim was a mentally ill, homeless … queer Black man. So that’s the agenda of white supremacy playing out right there.”

Penny refuted the accusations that the killing of the 30-year-old mentally ill homeless man had anything to do with race or white supremacy.

“This had nothing to do with race,” Penny told the New York Post.

“I judge a person based on their character," Penny proclaimed. "I’m not a white supremacist.

“I mean, it’s, it’s a little bit comical. Everybody who’s ever met me can tell you, I love all people, I love all cultures," the 24-year-old ex-Marine explained. "You can tell by my past and all my travels and adventures around the world. I was actually planning a road trip through Africa before this happened.”

Penny has traveled to Mexico, Kuwait, Bahrain, Oman, Jordan, Greece, and Spain.

Asked about the allegations that he is a white vigilante, Penny responded, “I’m a normal guy.”

Penny recounted that the day of the confrontation was "different, this time was much different."

“I was going to my gym,” Penny recalled. “There’s a pool there. I like to swim. I was living in the East Village. I take the subway multiple times a day. I think the New York transit system is the best in the world and I’ve been all over the world.”

Penny’s attorney Thomas Kenniff said that fellow F train passengers were thankful for the ex-Marine standing up the Neely.

“I can tell you that the threats, the menacing, the terror that Jordan Neely introduced to that train has already been well documented. I don’t think it’s going to even be controversial," Kenniff said. "There are numerous witnesses from all different walks of life who have absolutely no motive to do anything other than to recount what actually happened. They are uniform in their recollection of events.”

Regarding the death of Neely, Penny said, “I’m deeply saddened by the loss of life. It’s tragic what happened to him. Hopefully, we can change the system that’s so desperately failed us.”

When asked if he would take the same action again if he were in a similar situation, Penny declared, “You know, I live an authentic and genuine life. And I would — if there was a threat and danger in the present …”

He added that he has nothing to be ashamed of because he always does what he thinks is right.

Penny said the threats he has received has forced him to take college classes remotely for his safety.

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Daniel Penny, charged in NYC subway chokehold death, finally speaks: "I am not a white supremacist" www.youtube.com

Legal defense for former Marine Daniel Penny raises over $500,000 on Christian fundraising website, Jordan Neely's attorneys demand murder charge



Daniel Penny, the former Marine who was involved in the chokehold death of Jordan Neely, turned himself in to authorities on Friday morning.

After the former Marine surrendered, Penny's attorney, Thomas Keniff, told reporters that his client surrendered "voluntarily and with the sort of dignity and integrity that is characteristic of his history of service to this grateful nation."

Keniff said Penny "has his head held up high."

\u201cPenny\u2019s attorney Thomas Kenniff spoke minutes after his client surrendered \u2014>\u201d
— Ben Feuerherd (@Ben Feuerherd) 1683893084

With exorbitant attorney fees looming, a crowdfunding campaign raised more than half-million dollars for Penny's legal defense. At the time of publication, a campaign on the Christian fundraising website GiveSendGo has garnered more than $575,000 for Penny's legal defense.

The description for Penny's crowdfunding campaign reads:

Daniel Penny is, a twenty-four-year-old college student and decorated Marine veteran, facing a criminal investigation stemming from him protecting individuals on a NYC subway train from an assailant who later died. Funds are being raised to pay Mr. Penny’s legal fees incurred from any criminal charges filed and any future civil lawsuits that may arise, as well as expenses related to his defense. All contributions are greatly appreciated. Any proceeds collected which exceed those necessary to cover Mr. Penny’s legal defense will be donated to a mental health advocacy program in New York City.

The GiveSendGo fundraising campaign was launched by the law firm Raiser & Kenniff, P.C. — which is representing Penny in the case.

Penny was seen on video putting Neely in a chokehold while onboard the F subway train on May 1. Neely had been acting erratically and aggressively towards other subway passengers, according to witnesses. After subduing Neely, video shows Penny placing Neely in a "recovery position."

Neely died the same day. The New York City Office of Chief Medical Examiner ruled Neely's death a homicide.

Penny was charged with second-degree manslaughter.

However, attorneys for Neely's family are calling for Penny to be charged with murder.

"Justice looks like a conviction for murder," said Lennon Edwards, Esq., an attorney with Milles & Edwards.

"The consequences of manslaughter two is five to 15 years," Edwards said on Friday. "Ask yourself, is that enough? Murder two, up to 25 to life. So we need a full cup of justice here."

The 30-year-old Michael Jackson impersonator reportedly suffered from mental illness and was homeless.

Neely was reportedly arrested 42 times between 2013 and 2021, including for four alleged assaults. At the time of his death, Neely had an active warrant for felony assault in connection with an attack on a 67-year-old woman in 2021.

Daniel Penny's attorney speaks out www.youtube.com

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