New court documents in the Daniel Penny case reveal the harrowing testimony of fellow subway riders, who say they hid and prayed to escape the subway train due to Jordan Neely’s threats and “satanic” behavior.
Penny, a 24-year-old U.S. Marine veteran, is facing up to 19 years behind bars for the death of Neely, whom Penny restrained on the subway train in what prosecution argues was a deadly chokehold.
According to Fox News, recently disclosed court documents reveal that a mother and her son “hid behind a stroller and a high school student prayed as Jordan Neely yelled ‘someone is going to die today.'”
Another woman reportedly described Neely’s behavior as “sickening” and “satanic” and said she believed she “was going to die” as Neely approached her, an experience she called “absolutely traumatizing.”
“I want to hurt people, I want to go to Rikers. I want to go to prison,” one woman recalled Neely yelling on the subway. The woman was with her son, and the pair, she says, hid behind his stroller as Neely allegedly charged at passengers.
One high school student said she heard Neely yell, “someone is going to die today.” The girl recalled grabbing her classmate and praying that the subway doors would open.
One retiree, who’s used the subway for over 30 years, said nothing has “put fear into me” like the experience with Neely.
Penny has been charged with 2nd degree manslaughter and negligent homicide in Neely’s death. “He was pacing back and forth on the car,” Penny recalled of the incident, which occurred in May. “I came from behind and put him in a chokehold. People in the subway were afraid for their safety.”
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Neely had a history of mental health issues and over 40 arrests. His most recent arrest happened in November 2021, when authorities charged him with felony assault after being accused of “slugging a 67-year-old female stranger in the face.”
Following the May incident, protests in New York City erupted, demanding for “justice for Neely.” Penny, though, has also received a lot of support. An account on crowdfunding platform GiveSendGo has raised nearly $3 million for the veteran’s defense. Notably, the account says any donations exceeding what’s needed to cover Penny’s defense “will be donated to a mental health advocacy program in New York City.”
The GiveSendGo fund has been promoted by Governor Ron DeSantis (R-FL), who is currently running for president. “We must defeat the Soros-Funded DAs, stop the Left’s pro-criminal agenda, and take back the streets for law abiding citizens. We stand with Good Samaritans like Daniel Penny,” DeSantis captioned the post. “Let’s show this Marine… America’s got his back.”
Penny’s team has moved to dismiss the charges against their client.
Brandon Drey contributed to this report
Related: ‘Mr. Penny Is A Hero’: Kid Rock Donates Thousands To Marine Veteran Accused Of Killing Jordan Neely