Left-wing Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez claimed New Yorkers are in danger since “unrepentant” Daniel Penny was found not guilty of killing Jordan Neely.
AOC said Navy veteran Penny, 26, was not held responsible for the death of homeless man Neely, 30, on the subway last spring.
‘The fact that someone has not expressed remorse indicates a risk that it could happen again. And if we don’t want to unleash that level of violence, we have to exercise some level of responsibility to prevent that from happening,” AOC said.
During the fatal interaction, Penny was recorded choking the former Michael Jackson impersonator to death after he began acting erratically and making threats on the F train on May 1, 2023.
Multiple witnesses said Neely yelled that he needed food and something to drink, threw his jacket on the floor and said he didn’t care if he died or “went back to Rikers.”
Penny faced 15 years in prison for second-degree manslaughter and negligent homicide, but the first charge was dropped on December 6 and he was found not guilty of the second on Monday.
Neely’s death caused a national outcry, with Penny being called a “racist vigilante” by protesters and the deceased’s family, who filed a lawsuit against him last week.
Members of the Black Lives Matter movement primarily saw Penny as an overzealous white ex-Marine who targeted an innocent black man.
Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez said New Yorkers should be afraid now that Daniel Penny has been found not guilty
Daniel Penny had both charges in connection with Jordan Neely’s 2023 death after his trial, which drew national attention
Others have praised the veteran and argued that he intervened and tried to protect public safety.
Penny is described by fans as a hero and “modern Batman” who selflessly came to the aid of the other passengers, despite the risks to himself.
When asked if he would do it again by the New York Post, Penny said: “I would – if there was a threat and danger in the present.”
AOC said: “If we don’t want violence in our subways and the point of our justice system is a level of responsibility to prevent someone who has no remorse for taking another’s life.
“I mean, even people who have committed manslaughter or accidentally taken a life express remorse.”
The progressive politician has been criticized online following her comments about Penny, with critics claiming she spoke as if ‘she’s never been on the subway’.
“She can try it out for herself in the next month,” one user wrote on X, commenting on how dangerous the subway is for some passengers.
Another said, “If she feels that way, she should take the subway from now on so she can be there to hang out with people like Neely and be an example to everyone.”
Others said AOC completely missed the point and needs to address the bigger problem.
Penny placed Neely in a chokehold for several minutes on May 1, 2023
Jordan Neely was a Michael Jackson impersonator who, according to witnesses, was behaving erratically on the subway when Penny put him in a chokehold
One woman said, “Subways would be safer and not need Pennys if we locked up the Neelys of the world first – and provided them with the necessary, life-saving care.” Until then…’
Prosecutors noted that Penny continued to grab Neely’s neck after the train stopped and that anyone who wanted to get off was able to do so after bystanders urged him to let go and Neely sat still for a minute.
They differed in descriptions of his movements and whether they were life-threatening. Some said they were alarmed by him and some were grateful when Penny subdued him.
When the jury found Penny innocent on Monday, the courtroom was filled with cheers from his family and supporters, while Neely’s family shouted obscenities and called him a “racist son of a bitch.”