The trial of former Marine Daniel Penny, charged in the death of Jordan Neely, has begun. A widely shared video showing Penny placing Neely, a Michael Jackson performer, in a chokehold on a New York City subway will be central evidence in the case. The video, which has sparked debates about race, public safety, and mental health, shows Penny restraining Neely until his death.
The trial of former Marine Daniel Penny, charged in the death of Jordan Neely, has begun. A widely shared video showing Penny placing Neely, a Michael Jackson performer, in a chokehold on a New York City subway will be central evidence in the case. The video, which has sparked debates about race, public safety, and mental health, shows Penny restraining Neely until his death.
Penny, 26, faces manslaughter and criminally negligent homicide charges in Jordan Neely’s death trial. He has pleaded not guilty, claiming he did not intend to kill Neely. If convicted of manslaughter, Penny could face up to 15 years in prison. The trial, expected to last six weeks, will focus heavily on the four-minute video of the incident. The defense argues Penny used minimal force, while prosecutors contend he used excessive and unjustified force against Neely, a 30-year-old Black man who struggled with homelessness and mental health issues.
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Jordan Neely’s death, ruled a homicide by the New York City chief medical examiner, has intensified discussions about racial justice, homelessness, and subway safety. Initially, police questioned Penny but released him without charges, drawing criticism from activists and officials.
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Supporters have gathered outside the Manhattan courthouse, calling for justice in Jordan Neely’s death trial. Professional dancer Moses Harper, who wrote a tribute titled “My Friend Jordan Neely Was Homeless and in Mental Distress. But He Was Not Expendable,” first met Neely in 2009, when Neely was performing as Michael Jackson in Times Square.
Harper described Neely as vibrant on stage but troubled offstage. Neely’s mother was murdered when he was 14, a trauma that left a lasting impact. “Performing as Michael Jackson was his escape,” Harper noted. Despite his talent, Neely struggled with mental health and homelessness in the years before his death.
Harper emphasized that systemic failures played a significant role in Neely’s life and tragic death. He lacked support in education, housing, and mental health care. “The system failed Jordan,” Harper concluded. “Society often overlooked his struggles, even as he tried to maintain dignity through performing.”
As the trial proceeds, the video will be pivotal in determining whether Penny’s actions were justified. However, for Neely’s supporters, the trial represents more than a legal decision—it is about acknowledging the value of a life lost too soon.
“When I think of Jordan Neely, I remember a gifted soul trying to find joy in a difficult world,” Harper wrote. “He was priceless.”
