Testimony from Rider discredits DA’s racial manipulation in Daniel Penny trial
Daniel Penny is facing trial for manslaughter, accused of trying to do the right thing to protect others in a difficult situation. On May 1, 2023, Jordan Neely, a mentally ill homeless man, entered an F Train in New York City and began threatening passengers. Despite Penny’s attempt to subdue him, Neely died after police arrived.
The prosecution claims Penny overreacted to Neely’s threats, emphasizing the racial difference between them. However, a witness testified that Neely’s behavior made her fear for her safety, indicating that Penny’s actions were motivated by concern for others, not race.
The trial has raised questions about the city’s mental health system, highlighting the failures that allowed Neely to be on the streets instead of receiving proper treatment. The focus should be on addressing these systemic issues, rather than unfairly targeting Penny.
Ultimately, the tragic outcome of this incident is a reflection of a broken mental health system and misguided priorities, not the actions of Daniel Penny.
