Daniel Penny Defense Rests in Subway Chokehold Manslaughter Trial

The former Marine faces up to 15 years in prison as jurors prepare to deliberate after Thanksgiving on charges stemming from Jordan Neely's death.

Daniel Penny, charged with manslaughter and criminally negligent homicide, chose not to testify as the defense concluded its case in the trial over Jordan Neely's death in May 2023.
The defense presented forensic pathologist Dr. Satish Chundru, who argued that Neely's death was caused by multiple factors, including schizophrenia, synthetic marijuana, and a sickle cell crisis, rather than the chokehold applied by Penny.
Prosecutors relied on the testimony of New York City's medical examiner, Dr. Cynthia Harris, who maintained that Neely's death was unequivocally caused by asphyxiation from Penny's chokehold.
Witnesses from the subway testified to feeling frightened by Neely's erratic behavior, with some describing him as making threats, while others thanked Penny for intervening.
Closing arguments and jury deliberations are scheduled to begin after Thanksgiving, with Penny facing a maximum sentence of 15 years if convicted of manslaughter.