Jordan Neely, a homeless man who was killed by Marine veteran Daniel Penny, has become the subject of criminal proceedings, and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis is now reportedly raising money for him.
After placing Neely in a deadly chokehold, Penny, 24, was arrested and charged with second-degree murder in Manhattan Criminal Court on Friday. Defense attorneys contend that Penny acted to defend both himself and other passengers who were in danger.
DeSantis tweeted a link to a GiveSendGo page created by the legal team representing Penny, Raiser & Kenniff, P.C.
We must defeat the Soros-Funded DAs, stop the Left's pro-criminal agenda, and take back the streets for law abiding citizens. We stand with Good Samaritans like Daniel Penny. Let’s show this Marine… America’s got his back.
https://t.co/uQXZuT19Mo— Ron DeSantis (@RonDeSantisFL) May 13, 2023
The GiveSendGo campaign currently has received more than 18,000 donations, raising $853,213.
After what authorities characterized as an incident on a northbound F train, 24-year-old college student and former Marine Penny choked Jordan Neely, 30, to death on May 1.
Neely allegedly threatened people on the metro while experiencing a mental breakdown. He was shouting and pacing when Penny stepped in, tackled him to the ground, and placed him in a chokehold, according to witnesses and police.
Neely died from compression to his neck, according to the city’s medical examiner.
Following the event, Neely’s legal representatives claimed that he had a history of acting violently and erratically, perhaps as a result of an ongoing, untreated mental illness.
In accordance with a $100,000 bail approved by the prosecution and provided by bondsman Ira Judelson, a judge Friday granted Penny’s release.
If found guilty, Penny may spend anywhere from five to fifteen years in jail. In July, he will be back in court.
[READ MORE: DeSantis Signs New Florida Law Ensuring ‘Medical Freedom’]
