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Friends and family of Daniel Penny call manslaughter charge against him 'disgusting' as outrage builds

Former US Marine Daniel Penny was ordered to surrender his passport and freed on a $100,000 cash bail

MANHATTAN, NEW YORK CITY: Friends and family of Marine veteran Daniel Penny have called his manslaughter allegations linked to the deadly chokehold of Jordan Neely on the subway "disgusting." The 24-year-old veteran's family members described him as someone who "could always be counted on when you needed help" and believe the legal system is "railroading" him.

Former US Marine Penny was ordered to surrender his passport and freed on a $100,000 cash bail. He is also barred from leaving the state. Penny's next court date is scheduled for July 17, CBS reported.

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What did the loved ones of Daniel Penny say?

"It’s disgusting. Here's a young man who served our country," stated Justine Baldwin, Penny's cousin, as per New York Post. "What about the other two gentlemen on the subway who were helping him (restrain Neely)? They haven't even been named."

'Danny has always been calm'

Following the tragedy on May 1, the former Marine was shown a flood of sympathy, and a GoFundMe campaign has already surpassed $1 million. Neely, who was believed to have threatened subway passengers before being subdued by Penny and others, was killed in a chokehold on a Manhattan subway, and Penny was arrested this week for the crime. While the video of Penny holding Neely down generated outrage, his family described him as a "calm" and "fun kid."

In the wake of the incident, some tried to paint the veteran as a rich guy, but those who knew him disclosed he grew up in a middle-class military family on Long Island. "He was always there for his family and his sisters," stated Baldwin. "Danny has always been calm, he comes from a calm family."

'Danny was always fun and goofy'

According to neighbors, he once even lived out of a van while previously living in a three-bedroom house with his three sisters and parents. "Danny was always fun and goofy and never harmed anyone," stated Marine's friend Devin Marino. "He was always super inclusive," he went on. "His family was really nice and had an open door policy."

'He was trying to help'

The veteran was also praised by his West Islip neighbors who knew him and his family. Marcia Mulcahy, who spent four years across the street from Penny, called him "a lovely kid." "The family could not have been nicer," she stated. "Just look at the fundraiser to see how people feel about him." She added, "We're all contributing to it. He was just trying to help on the subway. It was obviously a scary situation and it all went wrong. But he didn't go in there trying to hurt anyone. He was trying to help."

Mulcahy was referring to a GiveSendGo campaign started by Penny's legal team to gather money for his mounting legal costs, which have now surpassed $1 million. The page reached the $1 million milestone only a few hours after Florida Governor Ron DeSantis tweeted a link to the website, as per Daily Mail.

'Choking someone to death is disgusting'

The internet had reacted quite quickly with many slamming Penny's action when Neely was revealed to have died. A user tweeted, "No one should be suprised Next stop guilty Final stop 20 year prison." Another user claimed, "Choking someone to death is disgusting." Someone mentioned, "So I can go on a subway anywhere and just choke anyone to death and walk away? Is that how you think the American legal system works?" "Nice looking guy, could wind up famous after all this nonsense over but he's in for a long painful ride," remarked a person.

Not all users were quick to attack Penny, however, as there were many who stood by him instead. One such person, who referred to Neely's long and sometimes violent criminal history, noted, "They want innocent people to be helpless victims. Look at what they do to anyone who defends themselves against the criminals."

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.