The judge in the trial of Daniel Penny, accused of using a deadly chokehold on Jordan Neely in a New York City subway, dismissed a manslaughter charge due to a deadlock amongst the jurors. Prosecutors requested the dismissal, leaving the jury to consider the lesser charge of criminally negligent homicide, carrying a maximum sentence of up to four years. Penny, a former Marine and architecture student, encountered a distressed Neely on the subway, restrained him in a chokehold that lasted six minutes, causing Neely’s death. Neely had a history of mental illness and homelessness, and synthetic marijuana in his system at the time. The case highlighted issues of racial justice, safety in the subway system, and struggles with homelessness and mental illness within the city. Defense attorneys claimed Penny acted to protect other passengers and did not intend to harm Neely. The judge encouraged jurors to reach a just verdict and expressed confidence in their conscientious approach. The prosecution and defense sparred over whether to continue deliberations, with defense attorneys requesting a mistrial due to the deadlock. The jury sent multiple notes requesting to review various evidence, demonstrating a conscientious and systematic approach. The judge dismissed the manslaughter charge but urged jurors to continue deliberating conscientiously to reach a just verdict.
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Manslaughter charge in Daniel Penny trial dismissed by judge due to jury deadlock
