- Former Marine Daniel Penny was acquitted on Dec. 9 in New York City for the chokehold death of Jordan Neely, sparking outrage and calls for action from Black Lives Matter (BLM) protesters and Neely's family.
- BLM NYC leader Walter 'Hawk' Newsome, who identifies as Neely's uncle, called for "black vigilantes" and denounced the verdict, stating, "F**k America. How dare you laugh and cheer when someone gets away with murdering us."
- The trial and verdict have reignited debates over public safety, vigilantism, mental health, homelessness and the criminalization of marginalized groups, with activists demanding systemic changes.
- Neely's father, Andre Zachary, was forcibly removed from the courtroom after shouting, "You let a killer walk free," reflecting the deep emotional divide surrounding the case.
- Despite the acquittal, Penny faces ongoing scrutiny and threats, and his life is unlikely to return to normal, as the case has left a lasting impact on both him and the Neely family.
Black Lives Matter (BLM) protesters have threatened violence following the acquittal of Daniel Penny in New York City (NYC).
In a courtroom filled with tension and raw emotion, Penny – the former Marine accused in the chokehold death of Jordan Neely – was acquitted Monday, Dec. 9. The verdict, which came after a highly publicized trial, has sparked a wave of reactions and debates over public safety, vigilantism and the use of force in confrontations.
"People want to jump up and choke us and kill us for being loud, how about we do the same when they attempt to oppress us," said BLM NYC leader Walter "Hawk" Newsome outside the Manhattan courthouse. According to the New York Post, Newsome describes himself as Neely's uncle and was present every day of the trial.
"Just like everybody else seeks justice on their own. Just like everybody else has vigilantes. We need some black vigilantes. F**k America. How dare you laugh and cheer when someone gets away with murdering us. Racists: Burn in hell."
The incident happened last May on a NYC subway train. A video surfaced showing Penny, 25, restraining Neely, a 30-year-old homeless man with a history of mental health issues, in a chokehold for several minutes. Neely, who was reportedly acting erratically and threatening passengers, lost consciousness and later died at a hospital. (Related: 'Dangerous maniac' – Jordan Neely convicted for 4 months for attempting to kidnap 7-year-old girl in 2015.)
The trial, which began in late November, saw a flurry of testimony from witnesses, medical experts and legal analysts. Penny, who claimed he acted in self-defense and to protect others, was initially charged with second-degree manslaughter.
Prosecutors argued that Penny’s actions were excessive and unnecessary, while the defense maintained that Neely posed a genuine threat and that Penny’s response was justified. The jury ultimately sided with the defense, delivering a not-guilty verdict after less than a day of deliberation.
Neely's father escorted out of courtroom
The courtroom erupted in reaction to the not guilty verdict, with Neely's father Andre Zachary being forcibly escorted out of the courtroom after an outburst. "You let a killer walk free," he shouted as security officers escorted him out. The tense moment underscored the deep divide surrounding the case, with emotions running high on both sides.
Outside the courthouse, a mix of protesters and supporters gathered, reflecting the polarizing nature of the verdict. Some hailed Penny as a hero who took action in a dangerous situation, while others condemned the acquittal as a miscarriage of justice. Activists and community leaders called for systemic changes, arguing that the case highlighted broader issues of mental health, homelessness and the criminalization of marginalized groups.
Zachary later joined Newsome and the rest of the demonstrators opposed to exonerating Penny outside the courthouse. Just like the BLM leader, he called for action following the former Marine's acquittal.
"My son didn't have to go through this. I didn't have to go through this either. It hurts. It really, really hurts." he told reporters.
"What are we gonna do, people? What’s gonna happen to us now? I had enough of this. The system is rigged. C'mon, people. Let's do something about this."
For Penny, the acquittal marks the end of a tumultuous chapter. In the aftermath of the incident, he faced intense scrutiny and threats, with some calling for his prosecution and others raising funds for his legal defense. Despite the verdict, Penny's life is unlikely to return to normal anytime soon, as the case has left a lasting impact on both him and the Neely family.
Head over to BlackLiesMatter.news for more stories about BLM.
Watch Benny Johnson talking about the acquittal of Daniel Penny in this clip.
This video is from the Sanivan channel on Brighteon.com.
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Daniel Penny show trial: Judge allows prosecution to swap out charge in bid to secure a conviction.
Daniel Penny raises $1.5 million after being charged in death of Jordan Neely.
Activist prosecutor in Daniel Penny trial draws scrutiny.
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