Donations are pouring in for Daniel Penny, the former Marine charged in the death of Jordan Neely on a New York City subway.
As of Monday morning, a fundraising campaign for Penny on the Christian crowdfunding website GiveSendGo has drawn in more than $2 million.
The campaign states, “Daniel Penny is, a twenty-four-year-old college student and decorated Marine veteran, facing a criminal investigation stemming from him protecting individuals on a NYC subway train from an assailant who later died.”
It added:
“Funds are being raised to pay Mr. Penny’s legal fees incurred from any criminal charges filed and any future civil lawsuits that may arise, as well as expenses related to his defense. All contributions are greatly appreciated. Any proceeds collected which exceed those necessary to cover Mr. Penny’s legal defense will be donated to a mental health advocacy program in New York City.”
Earlier this month, Penny was recorded on video holding Neely in a headlock on a subway.
Neely’s death was later ruled a homicide.
Penny was initially released without charges, but Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg later announced he would be charged with second-degree manslaughter — a charge that carries a penalty of five to 15 years in prison.
“After an evaluation of the available facts and evidence, the Manhattan D.A.’s Office determined there was probable cause to arrest Daniel Penny and arraign him on felony charges,” Bragg said in a statement.
He added, “Jordan Neely should still be alive today, and my thoughts continue to be with his family and loved ones as they mourn his loss during this extremely painful time.”
Witnesses said Neely was acting in a “hostile and erratic manner” before he was placed in a headlock.
Penny was released on a $100,000 cash bond and ordered to turn over his passport.
In a statement, his lawyers said their client “never intended to harm Mr. Neely and could not have foreseen his untimely death.”
Several prominent figures have promoted Penny’s defense fund.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) tweeted a link to the GiveSendGo campaign and wrote, “We must defeat the Soros-Funded DAs, stop the Left’s pro-criminal agenda, and take back the streets for law abiding citizens. We stand with Good Samaritans like Daniel Penny. Let’s show this Marine… America’s got his back.”
We must defeat the Soros-Funded DAs, stop the Left's pro-criminal agenda, and take back the streets for law abiding citizens. We stand with Good Samaritans like Daniel Penny. Let’s show this Marine… America’s got his back.
— Ron DeSantis (@RonDeSantis) May 13, 2023
https://t.co/uQXZuT19Mo
Meanwhile, Kid Rock donated $5,000 to the fund.
