Daniel Penny, a former Marine recently found not guilty in the subway chokehold death of Jordan Neely, is thinking about suing Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg. Penny’s lawyers say Bragg unfairly went after him for political reasons. This case has people talking about safety, fairness in the justice system, and how much politics affects decisions.
What Happened on the Subway?
In May 2023, Penny stepped in on a New York City subway when Jordan Neely, a homeless man with mental health problems, started acting aggressively and scaring passengers. Penny held Neely in a chokehold to stop him, but it ended up causing Neely’s death. Penny said he was protecting the other passengers, but DA Bragg’s office charged him with criminally negligent homicide.
After a long trial, a jury decided Penny was not guilty on December 9, 2024. Some people cheered the decision, saying Penny did the right thing. Others were upset, saying Neely deserved justice.
Why Do Penny’s Lawyers Blame Politics?
Penny’s lawyers think DA Bragg charged him because of pressure from activist groups and fear of protests. Steven Raiser, one of Penny’s lawyers, said, “They were worried there would be riots if they didn’t arrest Penny quickly.”
Some people agree with this, saying Bragg focuses too much on politics instead of justice. Republican politicians have even called for Bragg to step down, saying the charges against Penny didn’t make sense and hurt public trust.
What About the Medical Examiner?
Penny’s team also says Bragg’s office worked too closely with the medical examiner, Dr. Jason Graham, to call Neely’s death a homicide. They think the ruling was rushed to make Bragg’s case stronger. “The DA needed the medical examiner to act fast, and that’s exactly what happened,” Raiser said.
This has raised questions about whether the medical examiner’s decision was fair or influenced by prosecutors.
Will Penny Sue Bragg?
Now that Penny has been found not guilty, his lawyers are thinking about suing DA Bragg for malicious prosecution. This means they believe Bragg charged Penny without good reason and caused him harm just to score political points.
Raiser hasn’t said for sure if they will sue, but he stressed that it’s important to hold prosecutors accountable. “This isn’t just about Daniel,” Raiser said. “It’s about making sure this doesn’t happen to anyone else.”
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