Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg issued a press statement on Monday following the acquittal of Marine veteran Daniel Penny in the death of Jordan Neely, a case that sparked significant public debate and protests.
“As with every case, we followed the facts and the evidence from beginning to end,” Bragg said, defending his office’s decision to prosecute.
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The jury reached its not-guilty verdict on Monday morning, finding Penny not criminally negligent in Neely’s death aboard a Manhattan subway train.
Jurors had deliberated extensively on Friday but remained deadlocked, leading the prosecution to drop the top charge of second-degree manslaughter in a last-ditch effort to salvage the case.
Bragg acknowledged the jury’s decision, stating, “The jury has now spoken. At the Manhattan D.A.’s Office, we deeply respect the jury process and we respect their verdict.”
He emphasized that the lengthy deliberations highlighted the complexity of the case and justified bringing it before a jury.
However, Bragg also highlighted the challenges faced by his office during the trial, claiming that his prosecutors were subjected to harassment and threats. “Throughout the trial, my deputy DAs were besieged with hate and threats on social media, over the phone, and via email,” he said. “This is unacceptable, and everyone, no matter your opinion on this case, should condemn it. These are prosecutors who have dedicated decades of their lives to public service and to the safety of Manhattan.”
New statement from Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg on Daniel Penny acquittal
Jurors’ lengthy deliberation underscored why this case was put in front of a jury of Mr. Penny’s peers, Bragg says
“The jury has now spoken.” https://t.co/SAeSkAZjpm pic.twitter.com/NjxVdB0D1Y
— Dan Rivoli (@danrivoli) December 9, 2024
During the trial, protests could be heard outside the courtroom, with demonstrators chanting slogans such as, “If we don’t get no justice, they don’t get no peace.”
Jordan Neely’s dad fans the flames, calls the justice system “rigged”:
“My (42x arrested) son didn’t have to go through this… I had enough of this. Let’s do something about this.”
Protestors can be heard chanting: “If we don’t get no justice — Then they don’t get no peace!” pic.twitter.com/Lg2A6SjtoH
— johnny maga (@_johnnymaga) December 9, 2024
The defense raised concerns about the potential influence of these protests on the jury, labeling them as threats.
The prosecution countered by pointing out that they, too, had faced threats throughout the trial.
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Judge Maxwell Wiley, who presided over the case, acknowledged the criticism directed at the district attorney’s office, calling it “unfair,” but dismissed claims that Bragg himself was responsible for the backlash.
Assistant District Attorney Jillian Shartrand drew criticism during the trial for repeatedly referring to Penny as “the white man” in front of the jury, a move seen by some as an attempt to racially charge the proceedings.
The prosecution also sought to limit how defense witnesses could characterize Penny, objecting to terms such as “hero” or “Good Samaritan.”
Bragg was notably absent from the courtroom during the reading of the verdict and did not argue the case in court, delegating those responsibilities to his team.
Maud Maron, a Republican challenger running against Bragg in the 2025 election, issued a statement sharply criticizing the district attorney’s decision to prosecute Penny.
“The NYPD officers who initially interviewed Daniel Penny and declined to arrest him got it right. The Manhattan jury who heard all the evidence, deliberated, and returned a verdict of not guilty got it right. The New Yorkers and their fellow Americans who were rooting for Daniel Penny as a hero and understood he should never have been charged in the first place got it right,” Maron said.
“The only person who got this wrong was Alvin Bragg,” she continued. “DA Bragg has pursued a reckless ideological agenda since his first day in office. Manhattan deserves a district attorney who will defend all New Yorkers, apply the law fairly, and make Daniel Penny’s heroism unnecessary by cleaning up the subways and streets of New York City.”
The case revolved around an incident in May 2023 when Penny restrained Neely, a homeless man with a history of mental illness, in a subway car after Neely exhibited threatening behavior.
The incident resulted in Neely’s death, which was later ruled a homicide.
Penny’s supporters described him as a protector who acted to safeguard fellow passengers, while critics accused him of using excessive force.
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Being NYC and all against Mr Perry I didn’t think he would get a fair trial but, justice has prevailed.
Lawsuit against NYC coming in 3,2,1…
Like 90% of Bragg’s persecutions; it never should have happened. I wonder if George Soros thinks he’s getting his money’s worth on this loser investment.
Alvin Bragg . . . what a buffoon . . . . or as Bugs Bunny would say, “whadda marooon”
wow Alvin and his staff have really been suffering. I’d almost feel sorry for them (tiny violin) if it wasn’t that their suffering seems to be caused by the ole “self inflicted wound” syndrome.
it’s a reap what you sow thing.