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A straphanger who witnessed the deadly subway confrontation between Daniel Penny and Jordan Neely earlier this month referred to as Penny a “hero” for restraining the homeless man earlier than his dying.
The 66-year-old girl, who requested to not be recognized, additionally stated she’d testify on behalf of Penny, 24, who was charged final week with second-degree manslaughter over the lethal encounter.
The witness advised The Post that Neely, 30, went on an explosive tirade simply earlier than his caught-on-camera dying, telling folks he was prepared to “kill a motherf—-er” and “[take] a bullet” and go to jail.
Neely’s erratic conduct put commuters on the F prepare subway automobile on edge as they hurtled between stations in Manhattan, the witness stated.
“The rhetoric from Mr. Neely was very horrifying, it was very harsh,” the witness advised The Post.
“People that journey the subway see and listen to every thing – this was totally different. And horrifying.
“People had been gravitating in direction of the exit doorways, and we couldn’t get out as a result of we had been nonetheless between stations,” she continued.
“People exited shortly [when we pulled in], and folks had been attempting to name 911 after they had been within the prepare … I sensed hazard.”
She stated that Penny requested her if she would testify about what she noticed.
“If crucial [I’ll testify],” the witness stated.
“I feel Mr. Penny deserves an opportunity … Mr. Neely, he gave folks trigger to really feel that their life was being threatened. He didn’t care. He stated he didn’t care. I think about [Daniel Penny] to be a hero.”
“Anything that may assist Mr. Penny, but in addition assist the homeless or mentally ailing particular person out on the streets that would discover themselves in the identical scenario – the reply is concern for all residents of all colours,” the witness added.
Neely, a homeless man with a prolonged historical past of psychological sickness, died after the May 1 confrontation with Penny, a Queens man who as soon as led infantry squads within the Marines.
Penny seized Neely across the neck following the previous road performer’s indignant outburst, which additionally featured him throwing trash at different riders, witnesses stated.
The metropolis medical expert has dominated Neely’s dying a murder, noting he died as a consequence of “compression of neck (chokehold).”
Neely’s household has stated Penny needs to be charged with homicide.
Penny’s protection staff claims he wasn’t attempting to kill Neely – he was merely attempting to guard himself and others from a threatening homeless man who had scores of prior arrests.
Now that Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg has levelled fees at Penny, he has six months to safe a grand jury indictment, Penny’s lawyer stated.
Penny stays free on $100,000 bail.
Investigators additionally imagine they’ve tracked down one of two men seen on the recording serving to Penny restrain Neely, police sources stated.
But it’s not clear who authorities imagine they’ve discovered, or in the event that they intend to cost both man.
The witness, who described herself as a girl of shade, added that she believes Bragg solely charged Penny due to the general public outcry.
“I feel [Bragg’s decision to charge Penny] was political,” she stated.
“The politicians who posted their opinions appear to be attempting to create a story and make it about race – and it’s not about race … they responded primarily based on emotions, not info.”
Penny is due again in courtroom on July 17.
