Daniel Penny, a Marine veteran, has seen his defense fund grow to over $1.5 million after being charged with second-degree manslaughter for the death of Jordan Neely, a homeless man who suffered from mental illness.
Penny's lawyers, Thomas Kenniff and Steven Kaiser, launched the campaign on the Christian crowdfunding site GiveSendGo, which raised $1,097,282 on Saturday afternoon and surpassed $1.5 million on Sunday morning.
The money will cover all legal fees from criminal charges and potential lawsuits. "Any proceeds collected which exceed those necessary to cover Mr. Pennys legal defense will be donated to a mental health advocacy program in New York City," the statement says.
According to a witness, Neely, who had a history of violent attacks on Manhattan subway platforms, began ranting wildly when he entered the northbound F train on May 1.
"He said, I dont care. Ill take a bullet, Ill go to jail because he would kill people on the train," a 66-year-old woman said of Neely's tirade. "He said, I would kill a motherfer. I dont care. Ill take a bullet. Ill go to jail." Penny, a college student and decorated Marine veteran, grabbed Neely from behind and dragged him to the ground.
According to a video recorded by a freelance journalist, Neely continued to struggle in Penny's grip for several minutes before going limp. Penny's lawyers have argued that he acted to protect himself and his fellow passengers.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis boosted the fundraiser on Twitter and said, "We stand with Good Samaritans like Daniel Penny. Lets show this Marine... Americas got his back." Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., contributed $100 to the campaign.
"In a just world, Daniel Penny would be given a key to the city, not an arraignment," the congressman told Fox News Digital. The slain man had been arrested more than three dozen times and had a history of violent attacks on Manhattan subway platforms.
Most recently, in 2021, he punched a 67-year-old woman in the face, breaking her nose and orbital bone, according to court records obtained by Fox News Digital. Four months earlier, he allegedly slugged another woman in the face, the records reveal.
According to the documents, he allegedly sucker-punched two men in 2019 in the face at different subway stations one month apart, breaking one victim's nose.
Neely's tragic death has divided the city, with many New Yorkers calling Penny a "hero" as others have denounced him as a "murderer." Outreach workers were so familiar with Neely that he was on the city's "Top 50" list an internal roster kept by the Department of Homeless Services of people most in need of help, the New York Post reported.
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