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Daniel Penny, a Marine veteran, has finally spoken out about the fatal chokehold incident which led to the death of Jordan Neely. Penny expressed his condolences and stated that he was deeply saddened by the unfortunate incident. Despite being criminally charged, Penny disproved the allegations that he was racist for restraining Neely, a Black man. In fact, according to Penny, the incident had nothing to do with race and was simply a matter of self-defense.
During an interview with the New York Post, Penny revealed that on the day of the incident, he was on his way to the gym when Neely, a homeless man who was reportedly mentally ill, entered his subway car on May 1. Apparently, Neely began yelling about being hungry and tired and repeatedly talked about going to jail reports claim. Given that Penny is a trained Marine veteran, it was only natural for him to intervene, and that is exactly what he did when he put Neely in a chokehold to control his behavior. Penny’s lawyers have even suggested that their client was trying to defend himself from Neely.
Although, officials are still trying to figure out the extent of the threat that Neely posed, an eyewitness account to Fox News Digital suggests that Penny was nothing but a hero. The witness tells the news agency that Neely was using words like ‘kill’ and ‘bullet’ during his erratic outburst, so Penny’s actions were wholly justified. The retiree who spoke to Fox News also believes that Penny saved many people from getting hurt that day.
Despite the controversy surrounding the chokehold, Penny has absolutely no regrets about his actions and doesn’t feel ashamed about the incident. After all, he was simply doing what he thought was right. Penny is set to return to court in July where he may face up to 15 years in prison if convicted.
In recent years, the issue of police brutality towards Black people has been at the center of many debates among politicians and the general public. While some people may argue that there is a racial component to the issue, Penny’s case certainly isn’t one of them.
Ultimately, the incident boils down to a matter of circumstance. Penny is a Marine veteran who was just minding his business when Neely entered his subway car, making a scene. For an expert like Penny, it was only natural for him to intervene and restrain Neely. The incident had nothing to do with race and everything to do with the fact that Neely was causing a disturbance and needed to be silenced.
One of the most important things to keep in mind is the fact that Penny himself was also in danger during the encounter. Given that Neely was mentally unstable and clearly out of control, there is no telling what might have happened if Penny hadn’t intervened. It’s not surprising given all of these variables that Penny chose to do what he did when he did it.
It’s worth noting that incidents like these can certainly be traumatizing for all parties involved. Those who choose to step up and take charge in traumatic situations like these should be commended for their bravery and quick thinking, especially when there is a threat to others on the line. That’s exactly what Penny did that day, putting himself in harm’s way to protect others
Those on the conservative side of the political spectrum are likely to appreciate the fact that Penny was a veteran. There’s a certain level of respect given to the military in certain political circles, so the fact that Penny is a former Marine certainly goes a long way in that regard.
In recent years, the media has seized on instances where civilians or police officers have used force against Black people and has portrayed these instances as evidence of systemic racism. While it’s important to ask questions and bring injustices to light, it’s equally important not to automatically assume that race is a factor in every case.
As Americans, we all have a responsibility to be honest and open about the issues that our society is facing. That being said, there is a big difference between being honest and open versus being biased and closed-minded. When debating issues of police brutality or any other issue for that matter, we must maintain a cool head and consider the facts.
Whether or not Penny chose to use reasonable force in the situation is up for debate, but there is no question that he acted out of concern for others and himself. Given his training and expertise, Penny was probably the most qualified person in that subway car to take control of the situation. The question is not whether or not he had the right to physically intervene; it’s whether or not he used the right amount of force.
At the end of the day, justice must be served in this case. The authorities must conduct a thorough investigation to determine whether or not the amount of force used by Penny was appropriate. Regardless of the outcome, it’s important that we all remember that there are two sides to every story. We must give everyone the benefit of the doubt and avoid making assumptions based on our preconceived notions
It’s understandable why some people may have been initially outraged about the incident; chokeholds have become a controversial topic given the recent events surrounding George Floyd. That being said, Penny’s case is different from that of the police officer who killed Floyd. For one, Penny acted out of self-defense and was not assuming authority in the same way that police officers do. Despite the differences, we should approach all of these cases with an open heart and an open mind.
In conclusion, the case surrounding the unfortunate chokehold incident that led to the death of Jordan Neely is a complex one that has been shrouded in controversy. While the authorities must determine to what extent Penny’s actions were justified, there is no question that he acted out of concern for others and himself. His military background and years of training probably helped him to react quickly during a moment of crisis. We must all learn to approach these cases with an open heart and an open mind, and ultimately, seek justice for all parties involved.