The trial for manslaughter of Daniel Penny: The country is divided over racial implications
7 december 2024 в 04:37
The trial of Daniel Penny for the murder of Jordan Niles has captivated the nation. The case divided many — some claimed that the murder was intentional and a manifestation of racism, as Penny was white and Niles was black. Others defended Penny, stating that he was defending himself and other subway passengers from a homeless man behaving erratically on the train. After days of deliberation, the jury could not reach a unanimous decision.
Get all the updates on the murder trial of Penny below.
Penny was charged with negligent manslaughter of Niles on the F train in the New York City subway in May 2023. A video showing the chokehold became popular on social media. It showed Penny and Niles lying on the subway car floor, with Penny holding Niles' neck with his arms. Niles died after the incident.
Penny was charged with second-degree manslaughter and intentional manslaughter by negligence. He pleaded not guilty to both charges. Penny appeared in the video to defend his actions, claiming that Niles uttered «three key threats» in the subway car.
«The three key threats he repeated over and over [from Niles] were: 'I will kill you,' 'I'm ready to go to prison for life,' and 'I'm ready to die,'» Penny claimed. «I was scared for myself, but I looked around, saw women and children. He was screaming in their faces. … I didn’t want to be in this situation, but I couldn’t just sit and let him carry out these threats».
Penny also denied that he intentionally killed Niles, adding: «Some say I was trying to choke him to death, which is also not true. I was trying to restrain him. You can see in the video that his chest is rising and falling. I didn’t see a black man threatening passengers. I saw a man threatening passengers, many of whom were people of color».
After days of deliberation, the jury could not unanimously agree on a verdict. One of Penny’s lawyers, Thomas Kenniff, stated in a release: «The jury deliberated for approximately 20 hours over four days in a case that, in many respects, is factually uncomplicated, as the event occurred in minutes on video. We are concerned that giving an Allen instruction in these circumstances will be coercive».
According to information from NBC News, the jury is set to resume deliberations on December 9. The judge dismissed the charge of intentional manslaughter by negligence in the second degree.
A hung jury, also known as a «deadlocked jury», - occurs when the jury cannot reach a unanimous verdict after deliberation
Get all the updates on the murder trial of Penny below.
Penny was charged with negligent manslaughter of Niles on the F train in the New York City subway in May 2023. A video showing the chokehold became popular on social media. It showed Penny and Niles lying on the subway car floor, with Penny holding Niles' neck with his arms. Niles died after the incident.
Penny was charged with second-degree manslaughter and intentional manslaughter by negligence. He pleaded not guilty to both charges. Penny appeared in the video to defend his actions, claiming that Niles uttered «three key threats» in the subway car.
«The three key threats he repeated over and over [from Niles] were: 'I will kill you,' 'I'm ready to go to prison for life,' and 'I'm ready to die,'» Penny claimed. «I was scared for myself, but I looked around, saw women and children. He was screaming in their faces. … I didn’t want to be in this situation, but I couldn’t just sit and let him carry out these threats».
Penny also denied that he intentionally killed Niles, adding: «Some say I was trying to choke him to death, which is also not true. I was trying to restrain him. You can see in the video that his chest is rising and falling. I didn’t see a black man threatening passengers. I saw a man threatening passengers, many of whom were people of color».
After days of deliberation, the jury could not unanimously agree on a verdict. One of Penny’s lawyers, Thomas Kenniff, stated in a release: «The jury deliberated for approximately 20 hours over four days in a case that, in many respects, is factually uncomplicated, as the event occurred in minutes on video. We are concerned that giving an Allen instruction in these circumstances will be coercive».
According to information from NBC News, the jury is set to resume deliberations on December 9. The judge dismissed the charge of intentional manslaughter by negligence in the second degree.
A hung jury, also known as a «deadlocked jury», - occurs when the jury cannot reach a unanimous verdict after deliberation
© Zhinobaeva Margarita
