Jordan Neely: Family demands arrest in NYC subway death of man reportedly using K2 to cope with mother's death
MANHATTAN, NEW YORK CITY: Jordan Neely's uncle demanded that authorities make an arrest, saying that when Jordan was choking to death on a New York City subway he had been using K2 to manage his sadness following his mother Christie Neely's death. The 44-year-old Christopher Neely revealed his nephew's dependence on synthetic marijuana while criticizing New York City police for releasing Daniel Penny.
Former US Marine Daniel Penny, 24, is the person who along with two others held Neely in a fatal chokehold on an F train in Manhattan on Monday, May 1. Christopher has now joined public officials and other civil rights activists in calling for Penny's arrest and two more people in what he calls a "gang killing" of his nephew.
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Jordan Neely chokehold death: NYC subway riders made several 911 calls, claiming one man had a gun
Daniel Penny broke his silence saying he never intended to harm Neely
Daniel Penny, 24, who claims he killed Neely in self-defense and that he 'never intended to harm' the former Michael Jackson lookalike, broke his silence on Friday even though he has not been charged with a crime in connection with Neely's murder as per the Daily Mail. Reports also suggest the Manhattan District Attorney may call a grand jury and file charges as soon as next week. Penny was initially taken into custody but was later released.
The release of Penny has angered many which include Neely's uncle Christopher. "Why would you release somebody who just choked someone to death?" he told The New York Post on Friday. "The Marine should never have been released at all. That was a stab in the face to all of Jordan's family and loved ones. The good Samaritan laws shouldn't be a license to kill the homeless."
'When he lost his mother, it was heartbreaking for him'
Christopher told the outlet that drugs were his way of dealing with his grief. "When he lost his mother, my sister, it was heartbreaking for him. He got into K2 and drugs, which was his way of healing himself." Christopher was not aware if Neely was on any other drug besides K2. "He was back and forth on the medication. Jordan was really out on the streets — he didn't want any help. The only time he'd get help is when people would call the police on him. The mental health system is horrible."
Christopher said, "Three men killed Jordan, not just the Marine. It was a gang killing — period...The Marine choked Jordan to death but the other two men held my nephew's hands while he was trying to break free from the chokehold,' he continued. "They were all assailants in this murder and should all be charged."
'Daniel, with the help of others, acted to protect themselves'
Former Republican Manhattan District Attorney candidate Thomas Kenniff who is Penny's attorney in a statement offered condolences and said that Penny was "merely trying to restrain Neelly." He went on, "Neely had a documented history of violent and erratic behavior, the apparent result of ongoing and untreated mental illness. When Neely began aggressively threatening Daniel Penny and the other passengers, Daniel, with the help of others, acted to protect themselves, until help arrived. Daniel never intended to harm Neely and could not have foreseen his untimely death."
The case is likely to be heard as early as next week
He took a swipe by saying that "for too long, those suffering from mental illness have been treated with indifference. We hope that out of this awful tragedy will come a new commitment by our elected officials to address the mental health crisis on our streets and subways." According to one report, the case is likely to be heard as early as next week.