In a recent turn of events, New York City's subway riders have found themselves at odds with progressive Rep.
Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY).
The congresswoman's comments regarding Daniel Penny, a man recently acquitted in the chokehold death of Jordan Neely, have sparked a wave of backlash. Ocasio-Cortez suggested that Penny's lack of remorse could potentially lead to more violent incidents on the subway, a statement that many straphangers have labeled as "delusional."
According to The New York Post, Penny, a 26-year-old Long Island marine veteran, was cleared of all charges by a Manhattan jury on Monday. The trial, which gained significant attention, revolved around a fatal encounter with Neely, a troubled homeless man, on an uptown F train last year. The incident, captured on camera, showed Penny holding Neely in a chokehold for six minutes after Neely began threatening passengers on a crowded subway.
Ocasio-Cortez's comments came in response to a clip that has since gone viral following Penny's acquittal. If we do not want violence on the subways and the point of our justice system is a level of accountability to prevent a person who does not have remorse about taking another persons life, the congresswoman said. This clip, posted on social media in the wake of the trial, has been viewed more than 540,000 times.
She further added, I mean even people who have engaged in manslaughter or have taken a life accidentally express remorse. The fact that a person has expressed no remorse indicates a risk that it may happen again. And if we do not want to unleash that level of violence then we should exert a level of accountability to prevent that from happening.
The incident that led to the trial occurred on May 1, 2023. Neely, 30, died after Penny held him in a chokehold following Neely's threats to passengers. Witnesses, including Penny, claimed Neely expressed indifference about returning to jail and even voiced a willingness to kill.
When asked by The Post before the trial if he would repeat his actions, Penny responded affirmatively, stating, I would if there was a threat and danger in the present. Penny was eventually acquitted of criminally negligent homicide after the more serious manslaughter charge was dismissed by prosecutors due to a deadlock among the 12 jurors.
Ocasio-Cortez's remarks have been met with strong criticism from subway riders, many of whom view Penny as a hero. One individual suggested renaming the subway line after Penny, calling it the "only safe subway in New York." Another defended Penny's actions, stating, No honest person believes we need fewer people willing to step up and protect work and children from being assaulted on the subway.
The backlash against Ocasio-Cortez's comments underscores a broader debate about personal safety and the role of individual citizens in maintaining order. While some see Penny's actions as necessary in a threatening situation, others, like Ocasio-Cortez, argue for a more accountable justice system that prevents such incidents from recurring. This ongoing discussion reflects the complexities of balancing personal freedom, public safety, and the rule of law in our society.
Login