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'Daniel Penny is an American hero': Fundraiser for ex-Marine charged with Jordan Neely's chokehold death nears $2M

Daniel Penny's lawyers said his arrest 'has struck a chord in the psyche of New Yorkers and has been echoed nationwide'

MANHATTAN, NEW YORK CITY: An online fundraiser for Daniel Penny, who is charged with second-degree manslaughter in the subway chokehold death of a 30-year-old homeless man and a Michael Jackson lookalike Jordan Neely, has raised more than $1.8 M for his legal defense fund. The description of the fundraiser on crowdfunding site GiveSendGo stated, “Funds are being raised to pay Mr Penny’s legal fees incurred from any criminal charges filed and any future civil lawsuits that may arise, as well as expenses related to his defense,” and added, “Any proceeds collected which exceed those necessary to cover Mr Penny’s legal defense will be donated to a mental health advocacy program in New York City.”

The page further read, "All funds will be sent to and managed by the law offices of Raiser & Kenniff, PC." While commenting on the funds raised, Penny’s attorney, Steven M Raiser, told New York Post, "The outpouring of support for Danny is always measured by the amount raised, but what is even more telling is that tens of thousands of people from all over the world have taken the time to donate. This level of support demonstrates that the situation forced upon him in that subway car earlier this month, and his subsequent arrest, has struck a chord in the psyche of New Yorkers and has been echoed nationwide." And further added, "The message being sent by this massive showing of support is that any attempt to undermine the right and duty to protect one another against an imminent threat will be challenged."

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Details of Jordan Neely's death

According to Daily News, Neely, a former street performer with a long history of mental illness, was on an F train that was heading towards the Broadway-Lafayette stop when he started behaving erratically around 2.30 pm on May 1. He started yelling and throwing garbage at passengers, which led to an argument with the 24-year-old ex-Marine. The argument turned into a brawl as the train entered the station. During the fight, Penny put Neely in chokehold and tried to restrain him. Video of the brawl was posted online by a freelance journalist named Juan Alberto Vazquez which showed another passenger pinning Neely’s arms while one more person held his shoulder. Emergency responders and police arrived after the train stopped at a station. Neely was rushed to Lenox Hill Hospital and was pronounced dead shortly after, following which his death was ruled a homicide caused by compression of the neck, reports Daily Mail. Penny was charged and was later released on $100,000 bail.

'Let’s show this Marine... America’s got his back'

There have been multiple protests since the incident in support of Neely but there are many who are in support of Penny. The National Police Association, an advocacy group representing cops, called the ex-Marine the "NY subway good Samaritan." In a tweet, the group wrote, "NY subway good Samaritan Daniel Penny head held high, shoulders back. @ManhattanDA Alvin Bragg used the escorting officers, who had no choice, for a shameful photo op. Bragg has stopped good Samaritans from stopping criminals. Penny's defense fund is here https://givesendgo.com/daniel_penny." Flordia Gov Ron DeSantis also urged followers to donate to Penny's fundraiser on GiveSendGo, writing, "We must defeat the Soros-Funded DAs, stop the Left's pro-criminal agenda, and take back the streets for law abiding citizens. We stand with Good Samaritans like Daniel Penny. Let’s show this Marine... America’s got his back."

'Daniel Penny is an American hero'

Many also left messages for Penny on the crowdfunding site. One wrote, "Prayers for an American hero." Another backed by saying, "Daniel Penny is an American hero. He had the bravery to stand up and do the right thing. No tears for the who died." One more wrote, "The country is behind you, individuals are required to defend themselves today." An individual wrote, "God bless you, Daniel, for saving the people in the subway. We are praying for you and are behind you, don't give up and stay close to God. He's got this!! Thank you for your quick thinking and selflessness. You are a true patriot and hero :)"

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.