Daniel Penny Joins Donald Trump At Military-Navy Sport, Days After Acquittal In Jordan Neely Case | Watch

Daniel Penny, just lately acquitted within the high-profile chokehold dying of subway rider Jordan Neely, attended the annual Military-Navy soccer recreation on Saturday. At Northwest Stadium in Landover, Maryland, the previous Marine shared a lavish suite with vice president-elect JD Vance and president-elect Donald Trump.

As Vance’s private visitor, 26-year-old Penny attended the event. Days after a Manhattan jury discovered him not responsible of criminally negligent homicide, he obtained his invitation. The choice got here after a trial that lasted a month and concerned the Could 2023 incident on a prepare in New York Metropolis.

Excessive-profile individuals attended the sport, which is a big yearly occasion and a historic rivalry. These included Home Speaker Mike Johnson, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, billionaire Elon Musk, Pete Hegseth, the contender for Protection Secretary, and Tulsi Gabbard, the nominee for Intelligence Director.

Hero’s Welcome in Political Circles

Attendees greeted Penny, who lives on Lengthy Island, warmly. He was noticed speaking to Vance, Usha Vance, and Johnson earlier than to kickoff. Later, when the viewers chanted “USA! USA!” Trump stood subsequent to Vance and waved. Penny, however, stayed exterior the suite.

On Friday, Vance praised Penny on social media. “Daniel’s man, and New York’s mob district lawyer tried to destroy his life for having a spine,” Vance posted.

Based on Thomas Kenniff, Penny’s lawyer, Penny expressed gratitude and humility for the supply. With the intention to congratulate the authorized workforce on the result of the trial, Vance had texted Kenniff.

A Polarizing Trial

The trial rekindled discussions about crime, vigilantism, and psychological sickness. After jurors could not agree on a extra critical manslaughter allegation, which prosecutors dropped, Penny was acquitted. The utmost penalty for the criminally negligent murder accusation was 4 years in jail.

Penny’s habits on an uptown F prepare was on the coronary heart of the case. Jordan Neely, a 30-year-old homeless man with schizophrenia, was appearing unusually, in response to witnesses. Neely allegedly hurled trash, yelled threats, and stated, “I am able to die.”

With the intention to preserve Neely below management till the police got here, Penny put him in a chokehold. Neely was declared deceased after being found unconscious. Based on toxicology findings, Neely had artificial marijuana in his system.

All through the trial, the prosecution highlighted Penny’s ethnicity by calling him “the white man” and implying that she had racist motivations. Witnesses, nevertheless, stated that Neely’s actions scared the prepare’s occupants.

Divided Reactions

The choice induced an excessive amount of political division. Whereas applauding Penny’s acquittal, conservative leaders criticized Manhattan District Legal professional Alvin Bragg for urgent costs. Penny was praised as a hero by Vance and others.

Outrage was voiced by lawmakers on the left. Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez referred to Neely’s killing as “homicide,” whereas State Senator Jabari Brisport termed it a “lynching.” Though he accepted the jury’s verdict, New York Metropolis Mayor Eric Adams drew consideration to structural shortcomings within the metropolis’s dealing with of psychological well being issues.

Soccer Rivalry Steals the Highlight

The Military-Navy recreation gave Penny a possibility to keep away from authorized disputes. With Military at 11-1 and Navy at 8-3, the sequence was probably the most anticipated in many years. This season, each golf equipment shall be bowl sure. On the 65,000-seat dwelling of the Washington Commanders, the Military and Navy engaged in fight, including one other chapter to the well-known rivalry that dates again to 1890. Earlier than the sport on Saturday, Navy had a 62-55-7 lead within the sequence.