Daniel Penny’s New York subway death trial begins today with opening statements

NEW YORK — The the trial of Daniel Penny begins today with introductory speeches. The 26-year-old Marine Corps veteran has been charged with strangulation Jordan Neely30, in the New York subway in 2023.

In May 2023, court documents claim Neely boarded the F train, allegedly yelling, throwing things and acting erratically. Penny told police that Neely threatened to kill everyone on the train He pinned Neely to the ground and held him in a suffocating grip for several minutes. Neely died at the scene his death was ruled a homicide.

Penny has pleaded not guilty to second-degree manslaughter and negligent homicide.

The trial is expected to last about six weeks.

Trial by Jury in the Trial of Daniel Penny

It took eight days to select 12 jurors and four deputies. This is an anonymous jury consisting of seven women and five men. Everyone rides the subway, some more than others. Most said they had witnessed the outbursts on the train, while others said they had been personally harassed or threatened.

Neely struggled with homelessness, mental illness and drug addiction.

During questioning and speaking to potential jurors this week, prosecutors told them that while they believed Penny’s intentions were good and that he wanted to protect people on the subway from what he believed to be a threat, Penny “went too far” and was reckless and needlessly took another’s life.

Defense attorneys, who refer to their client as Danny, told prospective jurors that just because the medical examiner classified Neely’s death as a homicide, that doesn’t mean Penny is responsible. During jury selection, Penny’s attorneys said there may have been drugs in Neely’s system and suggested they planned to discuss the K2 drug and sickle cell trait during the trial.

The defense hired a jury consultant for the selection process. Past high-profile cases she has worked on include OJ Simpson, Scott Peterson and, most recently, Kyle Rittenhouse.

Defense attorneys wanted to stay out of a police search of Neely’s body because officers did not find a weapon on Neely, but a judge ruled Thursday that it was allowed.