During the trial of Daniel Penny, a former Marine sergeant testified that he had given Penny martial arts instruction, including a “blood choke” technique, but noted that Penny’s arm may have been putting pressure on the victim’s trachea instead. When questioned by defense attorneys, the sergeant stated that applying a chokehold for longer than 5 seconds is not uncommon in real-world situations, despite what is taught in training. He also mentioned that releasing the chokehold too soon could lead to struggling or fighting. The jury was shown bodycam footage of witnesses describing the victim’s aggression and death threats, as well as their complaints about the delayed police response.
Despite allegations of racial undertones and white supremacy, the trial continued with testimony from a variety of witnesses, including the man who helped Penny restrain the victim. This witness stated that Penny did not appear to be holding Neely tight enough and that he had initially lied to investigators, but had been granted immunity from prosecution in exchange for testifying. Penny is facing charges of manslaughter and criminally negligent homicide, with the potential for up to 15 years in prison if convicted of the more serious charge of manslaughter. The Marine veteran’s defense team argued that Penny was attempting to protect the diverse subway car from a potentially violent individual.
The prosecution called on a Marine veteran who trained Penny as well as other witnesses to provide testimony during the trial. The Marine veteran mentioned that the training given to Marines can be modified based on the situation they are facing, indicating that Penny may have been using a technique that was not directly taught. The jury was shown footage of Penny’s initial interrogation, as well as testimony from witnesses who described the victim’s behavior leading up to the incident. Despite facing accusations of bias and protesting from some individuals, the trial proceeded as planned.
Overall, the trial of Daniel Penny involved testimony from multiple witnesses, including Marine veterans who had trained him, eyewitnesses to the incident, and individuals who had interacted with both Penny and the victim. Bodycam footage provided additional insight into the moments leading up to the encounter and the actions taken by those present. Throughout the trial, defense attorneys and prosecutors clashed over the interpretation of the evidence and the intent behind Penny’s actions. The jury must now weigh the testimonies presented and determine whether Penny is guilty of the charges brought against him.
