Daniel Penny denies intending to choke Jordan Neely to death on NYC subway

As reported in the New York Post,  Daniel Penny, 57, was arrested on charges of assault, strangulation, harassment, and reckless endangerment after being accused of choking a Subway rider, Jordan Neely, to unconsciousness on May 14. Penny denied the accusations and pleaded not guilty in Manhattan Criminal Court on May 17. According to his defense attorney, Penny was just trying to separate Neely and another passenger who were arguing and throwing punches at each other.

The incident occurred on the E train passing through the Upper East Side station, causing severe delays and the ultimate closure of the station for several hours. Neely was taken to Bellevue Hospital to be treated for injuries sustained in the attack.

This story draws attention to the issue of violence and safety on public transportation, a topic that has become increasingly important amid rising concerns about crime in New York City’s subway system. The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) has taken measures to improve security, including installing more cameras and hiring additional police officers, but incidents like this underscore the need for continued vigilance and effective solutions to ensure greater safety for riders. While the criminal justice system will determine the outcome of Penny’s case, it is clear that this type of violence has no place in our society and that everyone deserves to feel safe when using public transportation.