The Jordan Neely Case and Public Outrage

The death of Jordan Neely occurred on the New York City Subway in Manhattan. This tragic incident involved Neely, a 30-year-old black man, and Daniel Penny, a 24-year-old white former marine sergeant from Long Island. The incident sparked public outrage, protests, and legal proceedings.

Jordan Neely's Early Life

Jordan Neely grew up in Bayonne, New Jersey, and experienced significant trauma in his life, including the murder of his mother when he was 14 years old. He developed depression, schizophrenia, and post-traumatic stress disorder after his mother's murder and was frequently homeless. At the time of his death, Neely was on the "Top 50 List," a roster of homeless individuals most in need of assistance and treatment.

According to a police officer, Neely had been arrested 42 times by NYPD, with many of them being for minor violations and three for unprovoked assaults on women in the NYC subway.

At the time of his death, Neely was subject to a 15-month alternative to incarceration program after pleading guilty to felony assault of a 67-year-old woman, breaking her nose and fracturing an orbital bone. He had a warrant issued for his arrest after missing a court date and abandoning the treatment facility.

Events on the Subway

The incident occurred on May 1st on a northbound F train at the Second Avenue station in Manhattan. Neely began to make a speech, claiming that he was hungry and thirsty and was ready to die.

He threw his black jacket on the ground and, according to police sources, threw trash at passengers. Penny approached Neely from behind and placed him in a chokehold after he threw his jacket down. Neely had not interacted with Penny before the chokehold.

The train stopped at the Broadway-Lafayette Street station. Penny wrapped his arms around Neely's neck and his legs around his waist, and two other men pinned Neely's arms. Neely struggled against the chokehold, kicking and trying to free his arms. Some passengers expressed support for Penny's actions and made hostile statements towards Neely.

After Neely became motionless, Penny and one of the other men released their hold on him. The New York Police Department arrived before 2:30 p.m. and administered first aid to an unconscious Neely. The New York City Fire Department arrived at 2:46 p.m.

Neely was pronounced dead after being transported to Lenox Hill Hospital. Attempts to resuscitate him inside the subway car were unsuccessful as he was already dead, according to some sources.

Daniel Penny

Daniel Penny was a former marine sergeant from Long Island, New York, who choked Neely. He hired a former Republican candidate for district attorney to represent him in legal proceedings.

It was announced on May 11, 2023, that Penny would be charged with second-degree manslaughter, which could result in a prison sentence of up to 15 years if he is convicted. The following day, on May 12, Penny was released on a bail bond of $100,000, and he was required to surrender his passport and obtain approval before leaving New York.

Reactions and Protests

The incident sparked public outrage and protests. New York City Mayor Eric Adams called Neely's death "tragic" and said that his mental health issues played a role in the killing. City Council member Tiffany Cabán blamed the killing on the stigmatization of mental health issues and poverty.

Metropolitan Transportation Authority chair Janno Lieber urged riders to "find a way to deescalate" if "challenges" arise on the subways. New York state Senator Julia Salazar labeled the killing as a "lynching." Other officials expressed frustration that the assailant had not already been criminally charged.