Jury Selection Begins in Trial of Ex-Marine Daniel Penny for Fatal Subway Chokehold of Jordan Neely

Oct 21, 2024, 12:44 PM

Jury selection began Monday in the trial of Daniel Penny, the former U.S. Marine charged with manslaughter in the May 2023 death of Jordan Neely, a 30-year-old homeless man known for his Michael Jackson impersonations, on a New York City subway. Penny is accused of fatally choking Neely, who witnesses said was acting erratically on an F train through Manhattan. The incident was captured in bystander video that circulated widely. The defense plans to argue that Penny acted to protect other passengers, aiming to immerse jurors in the situation by asking, 'What would you do?' Penny may testify in his own defense. If convicted of the top count, Penny could face up to 15 years in state prison. The trial is expected to last until around Christmas, with protests occurring outside the Manhattan Criminal Court during jury selection, where demonstrators chanted 'No justice, no peace.'