In the wake of the contentious chokehold incident in the New York City subway, significant funds have been amassed for the legal defense of Daniel Penny, a 24-year-old Marine veteran.
Penny was charged with second-degree manslaughter following the unfortunate demise of Jordan Neely, a 30-year-old homeless man. The fundraising campaign, hosted on the Christian crowdfunding platform GiveSendGo, has drawn substantial donations nationwide, exceeding $2 million in funds.
Among the many supporters of Penny's cause is the famous musician Kid Rock, legally known as Robert Ritchie, who contributed $5,000. Ritchie included a pointed message confirming his donation, stating, "Mr. Penny is a hero. Alvin Bragg is a POS. Kid Rock." This statement referred to Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, who oversaw the case's prosecution.
Beyond Kid Rock, other high-profile figures have also stepped forward with substantial donations. Among them is Vivek Ramaswamy, a 37-year-old entrepreneur and Republican presidential candidate, who contributed $10,000.
Ramaswamy, a resident of Ohio, passionately argued that Neely should have been imprisoned or placed in a mental health institution rather than being allowed to endanger his fellow citizens potentially. He expressed dismay to Fox News Digital, saying, "You have an abandonment of the rule of law... Then someone who tries to assist and protect people, based on the current facts we have... is now being prosecuted. That represents a perversion of how the system is supposed to work."
As the fundraising campaign continues gaining momentum, more than 42,000 people have shown their support by donating. The fundraiser was significantly boosted when Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis lauded Penny on Twitter. "We stand with Good Samaritans like Daniel Penny. Let's show this Marine... America's got his back," DeSantis wrote, voicing his support for the Marine veteran.
Chicago native Tim Pool, a political commentator, made the largest donation of $20,000. Announcing his contribution on Twitter, Pool praised Penny, stating, "Penny is the subway Good Samaritan, and we are lucky to have brave souls like him who are willing to do the right thing."
The GiveSendGo campaign for Penny, as co-founder Jacob Wells reported to Fox News Digital, is the second-highest-performing campaign since the site's inception in 2015. At its peak, donations were coming in at a staggering rate of $1,000 per minute, reflecting the emotional response the case has elicited from many individuals.
The case of Penny and Neely has sparked a heated debate among New Yorkers. Some view Penny as a 'murderer,' while others regard him as a 'hero.' Neely had a history of violent incidents, particularly in the Manhattan subway, and had been arrested more than 40 times. He was so well-known to outreach workers that he was listed among the city's "Top 50" homeless people in dire need of assistance.
The fundraising campaign, initiated by Penny's attorneys, Thomas Kenniff and Steven Raiser, aims to accumulate resources to defend Penny against criminal charges and potential civil lawsuits. The lawyers have also assured that any leftover funds will be contributed to a mental health advocacy program in New York City.
Penny, released on a $100,000 bond, is expected to appear in court again on July 17. Meanwhile, a GoFundMe campaign supporting Neely's family has raised over $125,000. As the city grapples with this tragic incident, the debates surrounding it show no signs of abating.
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