Daniel Penny identified as ‘the white man’ during racially charged trial

During the second day of the manslaughter case against him, Daniel Penny lost his identity and was simply referred to as “the white man.”

The prosecution questioned why Penny, a 26-year-old Marine Corps veteran, couldn’t see the humanity in Mr. Neely.

As he faced a potential 15 years in prison for the subway chokehold incident that resulted in the death of Jordan Neely, the prosecution continued to reduce Penny to his race and gender.

These references were repeated multiple times.

When a 19-year-old bystander named Ivette Rosario testified, she referred to Penny as “the white guy,” and this name stuck throughout the trial without correction.

Despite the racial tensions surrounding the case and accusations of racism, the use of this label seemed careless rather than malicious.

After Penny’s attorney clarified his client’s name, the prosecution continued to refer to him as “the white man” repeatedly, in an almost casual manner.

Rosario, the witness, also testified about her fear during the incident, stating that Neely’s behavior made her incredibly nervous.

As the jury watched her shaky video footage, it was evident how frightened she was during that moment on the subway.

She described the tense atmosphere and Neely’s threatening behavior, causing her to fear for her safety and even consider passing out.

Through the testimony and evidence presented, the courtroom witnessed the horror of the situation, causing emotional distress for all involved.

Despite the graphic nature of the videos and testimony, the trial continued as Penny remained quiet and motionless in the courtroom.

The incident highlighted the lack of proper care for mentally ill individuals and the dangers it poses to everyday citizens.

While many would choose to look away, one man faced the chaos head-on and is now standing trial for his actions.