New York City Mayor Refutes ‘Squad’ Democrat for Alleging Homeless Man’s Death Was Murder
New York City Mayor Eric Adams said Thursday that social media-driven calls declare a homeless man’s subway death a murder are premature and “very irresponsible,” responding to a claim made by a left-wing Democrat lawmaker.
Jordan Neely, who died after being restrained by other subway passengers, was reportedly yelling and threatening others on the train. A 24-year-old Marine veteran reportedly placed him in what appears to be a chokehold while other passengers restrained him.
Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) voiced outrage Wednesday on Twitter over the death of Neely, declaring: “Jordan Neely was murdered.”
“But [because] Jordan was houseless and crying for food in a time when the city is raising rents and stripping services to militarize itself while many in power demonize the poor, the murderer gets protected [with] passive headlines [and] no charges. It’s disgusting,” she alleged, without providing evidence.
The New York City Medical Examiner’s Office on Wednesday declared Neely’s death a homicide due to pressure to his neck. The Manhattan district attorney’s office said it is investigating.
“As part of our rigorous ongoing investigation, we will review the Medical Examiner’s report, assess all available video and photo footage, identify and interview as many witnesses as possible, and obtain additional medical records,” read a statement from a spokesperson for the DA.
On Monday afternoon, Neely, 30, was yelling and pacing back and forth on an F train in Manhattan, witnesses and police said, when he was restrained by at least three people, including a U.S. Marine veteran who pulled one arm tightly around his neck, reported The Associated Press.
Video of the altercation posted online by a freelance journalist showed the man lying beneath Neely, holding him in a headlock position for several minutes as Neely tried and failed to break free. A second passenger pinned Neely’s arms while a third person held down his shoulder.
The freelance journalist who recorded the incident, Juan Alberto Vazquez, told the New York Post that Neely was screaming “in an aggressive manner,” and complaining of hunger and thirst. Neely did not physically attack anyone, Vazquez said, adding that the Marine veteran approached the man after he threw his jacket to the ground.
Vazquez said the man screamed: “I don’t mind going to jail and getting life in prison. I’m ready to die.”
Neely had a history of mental health issues, more than 40 prior arrests, and an active warrant out for his arrest from a felony assault in November 2021.
Not ‘Very Responsible’
Adams, also a Democrat, issued a statement Wednesday and called on individuals from making inflammatory comments until an investigation is completed.
“Any loss of life is tragic. There’s a lot we don’t know about what happened here, so I’m going to refrain from commenting further,” Adams said in a statement. “However, we do know that there were serious mental health issues in play here, which is why our administration has made record investments in providing care to those who need it and getting people off the streets and the subways, and out of dangerous situations. And I need all elected officials and advocacy groups to join us in prioritizing getting people the care they need and not just allowing them to languish.”
On Wednesday night, Adams was asked by a CNN reporter about Ocasio-Cortez’s comments on Twitter.
“I don’t think that’s very responsible at a time when we’re still investigating the situation. Let’s let the DA conduct his investigation with the law enforcement officials, to really interfere with that is not the right thing to do,” he told CNN. “And I’m going to be responsible and allow them to do their job and allow them to determine what exactly happened here.”
Demonstrators were seen holding a vigil for Neely Wednesday night, and dozens of people shouted “Black Lives Matter” and comments denigrating Eric Adams, who is black, on the platform. Neely is also black.
Rev. Al Sharpton, a longtime activist, demanded in a statement that Neely’s death be investigated as a potential case of manslaughter. Sharpton referenced the Bernhard Goetz case in 1984, in which a man was convicted of a weapons offense after he shot four black men on a subway train amid years of out-of-control violence and crime across New York City.
Andre Zachery, Neely’s father, told the New York Daily News that he had not seen his son in four years. Zachery told the paper that Neely’s mother also died violently. Christie Neely was strangled in New Jersey in 2007, according to news accounts at the time. Her body was found days later in a suitcase along a roadway. Neely, who was 14 when she died, testified against his mother’s boyfriend at his murder trial.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
