Acquittal
On Monday, a Manhattan jury found Daniel Penny not guilty of negligent homicide in the death of Jordan Neely. The verdict came three days after Penny’s second-degree manslaughter charge was dismissed.
Penny, a Marine veteran, was charged after using a chokehold on Neely, a former street performer who was threatening passengers on a NYC subway in May 2023. The case sparked debates and protests around issues like public safety, homelessness, race, mental illness, vigilantism, and valor (here’s a quick refresher).
Similarly, the trial’s conclusion was met with mixed emotions. Penny’s lawyers stated that he “finally got the justice he deserved.” Meanwhile, Neely’s father—who filed a civil suit against Penny seeking “reasonable, fair, and just” damages last week—called the system “rigged.”
Verse to consider when responding to a case that’s bound to divide people… “The fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who cultivate peace.”
James 3:18 (CSB) (read full passage)