In the wake of Daniel Penny’s acquittal on charges of criminally negligent homicide, his legal team is considering a significant legal move against Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg. Penny’s attorney, Steven Raiser, has stated he is exploring a lawsuit for malicious prosecution, arguing the case was politically charged and unjust.
Three days ago, a Manhattan jury delivered a unanimous not-guilty verdict in Penny’s trial over the death of Jordan Neely, a 30-year-old homeless man who died following a physical altercation on a New York City subway in 2023. The incident escalated into a highly publicized case. Penny, a 26-year-old Marine veteran, was on the subway when Neely, described as mentally ill and erratic, reportedly began shouting at passengers and behaving aggressively.
Multiple witnesses testified that Neely’s actions frightened those on the train. Penny intervened, subduing Neely in a chokehold while other passengers evacuated the car. Neely lost consciousness and was later pronounced dead. The prosecution, led by Assistant District Attorney Dafna Yoran, argued that Penny’s actions were excessive and reckless. However, the defense maintained that Penny acted out of necessity to protect fellow passengers, pointing to witness accounts and expert testimony about Neely’s behavior and the presence of multiple