On Monday, December 10, 2024, a Manhattan jury acquitted 26-year-old former Marine Daniel Penny of criminally negligent homicide in the chokehold death of Jordan Neely, a 30-year-old homeless man, on the New York City subway. The incident occurred on May 1, 2023, when Neely became agitated and allegedly threatened passengers on the train. Penny restrained Neely using a chokehold, which led to Neely's death. A more serious manslaughter charge against Penny was dismissed earlier after the jury deadlocked on that count. The trial has been closely watched, provoking intense reactions and discussions about public safety, self-defense, and vigilantism. Rev. Al Sharpton condemned the verdict, accusing Penny of taking the situation too far.
