Daniel Penny has been acquitted for the chokehold that resulted in a mentally ill homeless man being killed on a New York Subway. The homeless man, Jordan Neely had a violent outburst before Penny sprung into action.
Friday, the manslaughter charge against Penny was tossed at the request of the prosecution. The jury became deadlocked, and the judge ruled that for the jury to consider any lesser charges, the jury would have to find guilt on the top charge.
The prosecution requested that the manslaughter charge be dismissed so that the negligent homicide charge could be deliberated. Negligent homicide could have resulted in 4 years behind bars. Now Penny will be a free man after the jury acquitted him.
Many have taken to the internet dubbing Penny a hero. Neely had bursted into the train car threatening murder upon innocent passengers which led to the chokehold that ultimately killed him.
When Penny was found not guilty, the courtroom reportedly erupted into applause. “We the jury have come to a unanimous decision on count two,” the foreperson allegedly said. Reports indicate that a smile stretched across Penny’s face as the foreperson spoke.
