Manhattan jury selected for divisive manslaughter case, opening statements on Friday
The trial of Daniel Penny, a Long Island man accused of putting a homeless man in a fatal chokehold on a subway car in Manhattan, has begun with a jury of 12 residents from various neighborhoods in the borough. The incident, which occurred in May 2023, resulted in the death of Jordan Neely, who had a history of mental illness.
Mr. Penny, 26, is facing charges of manslaughter and criminally negligent homicide for his actions. The case gained widespread attention after a video of the incident, in which Mr. Penny, who is white, restrained Mr. Neely, who was Black, circulated on the internet. The incident sparked a debate among New Yorkers, with some viewing Mr. Penny as a criminal and others as a hero for protecting passengers.
The jury selection process was lengthy and contentious, with over 100 prospective jurors screened over two weeks. The defense team, led by Mr. Penny’s lawyer Thomas A. Kenniff, hired a jury consultant, Jo-Ellan Dimitrius, who has worked with high-profile defendants in the past. Ms. Dimitrius provided guidance and suggestions to the defense team throughout the selection process.
The trial is set to begin with opening statements from the prosecution and defense, presenting their respective arguments to the jury. The jurors, along with four alternates, were chosen from a diverse group of Manhattan residents, representing neighborhoods such as Chelsea, Hell’s Kitchen, Washington Heights, and Harlem. Justice Maxwell T. Wiley ruled that the jurors would remain anonymous throughout the trial.
The outcome of the trial will depend on the evidence presented and the arguments made by both sides. The jury will ultimately determine Mr. Penny’s guilt or innocence in the death of Jordan Neely. The trial is expected to be closely watched by the public, given the controversial nature of the case and the emotions it has stirred in the community.
Source: The NY Times
