Daniel Penny, a former Marine veteran, has broken his silence regarding the tragic NYC subway chokehold case that resulted in Jordan Neely death, per Fox News.

Penny expressed his profound sorrow over Neely's passing in an interview.

"It's tragic what happened to him," Penny shared, conveying his hopes for systemic changes to prevent similar failures in the future.

Despite facing criminal charges in relation to the incident, Penny vehemently denied any claims of racism associated with his detainment of Neely, who was Black. The Marine emphasized that race played no part in the encounter.

"I judge a person based on their character. I'm not a white supremacist," Penny clarified. He further elaborated, "It's a little bit comical. Everybody who's ever met me can tell you that I love all people; I love all cultures."

Penny cited his extensive travels and plans for a road trip through Africa as evidence of his inclusive worldview.

Providing his account of the events on May 1, Penny recounted to the Post that Neely entered his subway car en route to the gym. Reportedly suffering from mental illness, Neely began ranting about his imminent detention, hunger, and exhaustion.

Eyewitnesses stated that Neely's behavior was increasingly erratic and disruptive, prompting Penny to intervene. To protect himself and the other passengers, Penny restrained Neely using a chokehold, as asserted by his legal team.

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Jordan Neely's Death Gained Different Reactions

As the NYC subway chokehold case involving Marine veteran Daniel Penny and homeless man Jordan Neely unfolds, Penny's legal team asserts that their client acted in self-defense, aiming to protect himself and other passengers on the subway train.

Eyewitness testimonies indicate that while Neely exhibited agitated behavior, he did not pose a direct threat or harm to anyone until Penny applied the fatal chokehold.

The Jordan Neely death has sparked a wave of public outcry, prompting swift action from the government, according to KLFY.

New York Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez voiced her concerns shortly after the incident, criticizing the city's delay in charging Penny and raising issues regarding media coverage of the story.

In a tweet, Ocasio-Cortez stated, "Jordan Neely was murdered." She further expressed frustration, suggesting that the media was indifferent and that no charges were filed due to Neely's homeless and hungry status, emphasizing the city's focus on rising rents and reductions in social services, which she claimed contributed to the militarization of the authorities and a disdain for the impoverished.

Conversely, conservative voices have emerged in support of Penny. Florida Governor and potential 2024 presidential candidate Ron DeSantis referred to Penny as a "good Samaritan" in a press release, expressing his approval of Penny's actions.

Another prominent Republican figure, former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley, also considering a presidential bid, recently called upon Democrat New York Governor Kathy Hochul to pardon Penny.

Jordan Neely's Mental Health

Heartbreaking revelations have emerged surrounding the life of Jordan Neely, the homeless man whose encounter with Daniel Penny ended in tragedy.

Neely's loved ones, who spoke to The NY Post, shed light on a tumultuous past marked by a brutal loss and inadequate mental health treatment.

According to accounts from friends and family, Neely's descent into deep despair can be traced back to the brutal murder of his mother, Christie Neely, at the hands of his stepfather in 2007.

Carolyn Neely, his aunt, vividly described the incident's devastating impact on Jordan.

"My sister Christie was murdered in '07, and after that, he has never been the same," Carolyn shared.

The details of Christie's murder were chilling-strangled to death and discarded in a bag.

Carolyn, 40, expressed concern over her nephew's deteriorating mental state following Jordan Neely's death. She revealed that he developed depression, progressively worsening his condition, leading to schizophrenia and PTSD.

Carolyn firmly believed that medical professionals and the judicial system knew Jordan's mental health needs but failed to provide the necessary treatment.

As Jordan's closest living family, Carolyn lamented her unsuccessful attempts to secure assistance for her nephew. She voiced her disappointment in the system, stating, "The whole system just failed him. He fell through the cracks of the system."

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This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Bert Hoover

WATCH: Daniel Penny, charged in NYC subway chokehold death, finally speaks: "I am not a white supremacist" - From New York Post