The right to self-defense has always been understood, if not outright codified, in law throughout the ages. In America, many states have 'Castle Doctrine' laws, which allow for the use of force -- including deadly force -- to protect themselves or their property.
But in other places, usually deep blue, Democrat-controlled cities, the right to self-defense takes a backseat to the 'rights' of criminals to harass, assault, and otherwise abuse innocent citizens.
Daniel Penny was on the subway when a man, Jordan Neely, began -- by admission of prosecutors -- 'acting erratically and menacingly' toward riders before Penny restrained him. Neely had mental health issues and an extensive criminal record that included 42 arrests for various crimes, up to assault on women in the subway.
Penny put Neely in a chokehold and Neely later died.
Penny was arrested and charged with manslaughter as well as criminally negligent homicide.
The DA just admitted getting a conviction won't be easy:
Manhattan DA admits it won’t be ‘easy’ to convict Daniel Penny of fatal NYC subway chokehold https://t.co/fJnuGJjRCw pic.twitter.com/5e8CqmI3RZ
— New York Post (@nypost) October 25, 2024
A Manhattan prosecutor admitted Friday that it may be hard for jurors to convict former Marine Daniel Penny of “recklessly” choking mentally ill subway busker Jordan Neely to death on a crowded train.
“This is not an easy case… of a bad man doing a bad thing,” Assistant District Attorney Dafna Yoran told a group of 16 prospective jurors who may be chosen to decide if Penny is guilty of manslaughter and criminally negligent homicide in the May 2023 caught-on-camera killing.
Penny, 25, craned his neck and stared at the potential panelists as Yoran explained that prosecutors won’t argue that he intended to kill Neely, 30, when he placed him in a chokehold for more than six minutes on a northbound F train as it approached the Broadway-Lafayette station.
“It’s not easy finding someone guilty of killing somebody when you know they didn’t mean it,” Yoran said during the fifth day of jury selection in Manhattan Supreme Court.
Penny isn't the only New Yorker to face criminal charges for his actions.
Jose Alba, a bodega owner, was arrested and charged with second-degree murder after killing a man who was attacking Alba. Alba had been stabbed by the man's girlfriend during the altercation. She was not charged with anything. Alba was sent to Rikers Island on $250,000 bail.
Daniel Penny has not been as fortunate, despite public outcry. His trial has not started, but jury selection is poised to get under way this week. If convicted, Penny will face up to 15 years in prison.
This is not 'justice'. This is lawfare, pure and simple.
This same 'justice' system let Jordan Neely free after 42 arrests, mind you, and -- as I mentioned above -- didn't fil any charges against the woman who stabbed Jose Alba. Alvin Bragg's office routinely reduces felony offenses to misdemeanors, but makes examples of otherwise law-abiding citizens like Jose Alba and Daniel Penny. Bragg's office also dropped charges against Columbia University rioters, citing 'lack of evidence.'
The chaos is the point. Law enforcement, often hamstrung by Democrat politicians who seek to 'reform' criminal justice, is often non-existent in cities like New York. In fact, reports are that a majority of subway-related crime is carried out by 1,000 suspects (all repeat offenders). The population of New York City is 8.8 million people. 1,000 people is 0.01136% of the population, and yet guys like Bragg would have millions live at the mercy of a handful of criminals.
Instead of doing his job.
We can only hope Daniel Penny' s jury sees through the double standard and selective application of laws when they deliberate his fate.
But even if they do, and it seems the DA thinks it likely they will, the damage will have been done. The process is the punishment, and a warning to other New Yorkers: do not defend yourselves against criminals, lest you face serious charges that could send you to prison for years.
