The trial of Daniel Penny, the former Marine accused of the chokehold death of Jordan Neely on a New York City subway, faced a significant hurdle as jurors informed the judge that they were deadlocked on the top charge against him. After deliberating for over 20 hours, the jury expressed their inability to reach a unanimous verdict regarding the second-degree manslaughter charge. Lower charges, including criminally negligent homicide, which carries a lesser potential penalty than the top charge, were also reportedly contentious among the jurors. Judge Juan Merchan indicated that discussions must continue, stating, ‘It’s important to stress that we are not rushing the jury.’ Penny’s defense attorney, Thomas D. L. O’Rourke, argued that his client was acting reasonably during the incident, which involved Penny putting Neely in a chokehold after Neely had allegedly begun threatening other passengers on the subway. The confrontation has led to widespread debates about mental health, public safety, and civilian interventions in New York City. Reports indicate that Neely was experiencing a mental health crisis at the time, highlighted by his history of troubling behavior on subways. The jury’s deadlock has raised questions about the trial’s future, with some legal experts suggesting the possibility of a mistrial and others urging the judge to encourage further deliberation. This case has sparked intense discussions nationwide regarding the use of force and the responsibilities of bystanders in crisis situations.
Jury Deadlocks in Daniel Penny Trial Over Subway Chokehold Case
