(RepublicanView.org) – A fundraiser to help the defense of Daniel Penny raised millions of dollars in the first few days. Penny’s lawyers set up the GiveSendGo account and have received donations from Republican Presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy and rock star Kid Rock.
Rock, whose real name is Robert Ritchie, said Jordan Neely should have been cared for in an institution and not free to harass passengers on the New York City subway.
Decorated Marine veteran Daniel Penny was charged with second-degree manslaughter when he handed himself over to NYPD. His charges relate to the death of homeless man Jordan Neely, whom Penny restrained in a chokehold on a subway train on May 1st. Neely was reportedly harassing and threatening fellow passengers when Penny took the action that ended in the homeless man’s death.
In defending Mr. Penny, Kid Rock said, “Someone who tries to assist and protect people … is now being prosecuted. That represents a perversion of how the system is supposed to work.”
Protests erupted on the subway in the days that followed the incident. Activists clashed with police while chanting Black Lives Matter slogans, including “defund the police” and “no justice no peace.” Mr. Neely was black, and Mr. Penny is white.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has put his weight behind Penny and encouraged people to offer their support. DeSantis urged supporters to fight back against the left-wing “pro-criminal agenda.”
Penny faces a 15-year prison sentence if convicted. Under New York law, to secure a conviction, prosecutors will need to prove that the former Marine engaged in reckless behavior that created a risk of death. He must also be shown to have behaved in a way that a reasonable person would not. His lawyers say Penny did not intend to cause any harm to Neely but responded to a situation with the integrity and honor of a decorated US military veteran.
The donations raised will fund his criminal defense and any potential future civil cases.
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