4 things to know about the Daniel Penny case as jury deliberates

By Samantha Kamman, Christian Post Reporter Friday, December 06, 2024

Protestors in New York City on Dec. 3, 2024, holding signs as the jury deliberates in the trial of Daniel Penny, the former Marine charged in the death of Jordan Neely. | YouTube/ Eyewitness News ABC7NY

Neely's arrest history

Neely, who was often homeless, usually attempted to earn money by impersonating singer Michael Jackson, according to Fox 5 NY. Street performers who were acquainted with the man claim that he became depressed after his mother's murder in 2007.

At the time of his death, Neely had an open warrant for his arrest in relation to a violent attack on an elderly woman, as ABC7 reported last May. Neely pleaded guilty to assaulting a 67-year-old woman leaving a subway station in 2021, according to a BBC.

Before his death, Neely was also under investigation for allegedly pushing someone onto the subway tracks. The 30-year-old man had been arrested over 40 times for multiple assaults, attempted child abduction, drugs and indecent exposure.

Samantha Kamman is a reporter for The Christian Post. She can be reached at: samantha.kamman@christianpost.com. Follow her on Twitter: @Samantha_Kamman