A GRAND jury is set to decide on whether ex-marine Daniel Penny will face criminal charges over the death of homeless Black man Jordan Neely.
US media sources say the jury is likely to examine whether Neely posed a threat to other subway passengers and whether Penny used excessive force. Neely, a 30-year-old homeless man, died on a New York City subway train last week after experiencing a mental health crisis.
Penny, with assistance from two others, placed Neely in a chokehold, which ultimately led to Neely’s death. The incident has led to several protests and calls for justice. Demonstrators have taken to the New York City subway system to protest against the killing.
Protests
One demonstration saw dozens of individuals jumping onto the subway tracks at Lexington Avenue and East 63rd St at approximately 6:30 pm on Saturday May 6). A video shared on Twitter showed the incident, with the protesters forcing a Q train driver to abruptly apply the brakes upon entering the station.
Neely’s death has drawn comparisons with the murder of George Floyd who was murdered by Minneapolis cop Derek Chauvin in 2020.
The police officer applied pressure with his knee on Floyd’s neck for more than 9 minutes causing Floyd’s death. Chauvin was subsequently convicted of murder and jailed in June 2021.
According to witness accounts, Neely did not physically attack anyone. Despite this Penny, reportedly held Neely in a chokehold that led to his death.
Video of the harrowing incident has been shared widely over social media. Despite apparent attempts to revive him, Neely was later pronounced dead at hospital.
Questions are being asked as to why Penny, who is said to have now hired a marine lawyer, did not have his identity revealed by authorities to the media, when Neely’s background and history was swiftly circulated by news outlets in the aftermath of the incident.
Lynching
In addition, police had reportedly questioned Penny following his choking of Neely, but made no arrest. As yet Penny has not been charged over the incident.
Some protestors have also described the death of Neely as murder and a lynching.
The case has renewed debates about the vulnerability of black people in the United States and the failure of the current and previous administrations to deliver and enforce legislation which will provide protection for Black people against violence, often at the hands of law enforcement.
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The U.S. African-heritage, Michael Jackson impersonator, Mr Jordan Neely, had a long history of severe anti-social behaviour on the Subways of New York; which resulted with Mr Neely being arrested over thirty times.
Mr Neely’s public threats and aggression have been blamed on his crumbling mental health.
However, the three men involved in detaining and compassing Mr Neely’s neck, until he become unresponsive, must be arrested and held judicially accountable for Mr Neely’s death.