Moments before New York Marine veteran Daniel Penny placed Jordan Neely in a chokehold that proved fatal, witnesses testified about the events that led up to the encounter. Moriela Sanchez, an 18-year-old witness, described Neely as becoming aggressive and shouting at passengers on the subway car. Despite this behavior, he did not touch anyone. Penny intervened by placing Neely in a chokehold to prevent him from attacking others. Sanchez got off at the next stop and called 911, still seeing Penny holding Neely in a chokehold.
Another witness, Kaydren Schrunk, testified that Neely was shouting and making threatening gestures on the train. She described Neely as smelling like “soiled sweatpants” and feared he might have a weapon, even though she did not see one. Schrunk felt scared for her life during the encounter, as it was the first time she had felt such fear. Penny intervened by taking Neely down, with the help of two other men. Prosecutors argue that Penny’s actions were negligent and caused Neely’s death, while the defense claims his actions were justified defense.
Sanchez and Schrunk provided their accounts of the events leading up to Neely’s death during the trial. Sanchez described the escalation of Neely’s aggressive behavior and how Penny intervened to prevent him from attacking others. Schrunk testified to feeling scared for her life due to Neely’s behavior and the strong odor emanating from him. She recalled Penny taking Neely down with the help of two other men. The trial continues with conflicting testimonies about the circumstances surrounding Neely’s death.
Penny, a 25-year-old Marine Corps veteran and college student, could face up to 19 years in prison if convicted for Neely’s death. Neely had a history of mental illness and past criminal charges, including assaulting a woman in 2021. The prosecution argues that Penny went too far in his intervention, while the defense maintains that he acted in justified defense against Neely’s threatening behavior. The trial is ongoing, with witnesses providing their testimonies about the events on the subway car that led to Neely’s fatal encounter with Penny.
Witnesses like Sanchez and Schrunk recounted their experiences of the chaotic and tense moments that unfolded on the subway car before Neely’s death. Both witnesses expressed fear and concern for their safety during the encounter with Neely, which ultimately led to Penny intervening to prevent further aggression. The trial will continue to explore the details of the incident and determine whether Penny’s actions were justified or negligent in causing Neely’s death. As the case unfolds, more information will be revealed about the events that transpired on that fateful day on the subway.
