A legal defense fundraiser for Marine veteran Daniel Penny continues to skyrocket, hitting the million-dollar mark on Saturday.
Penny, 24, was charged Friday with manslaughter in the death of 30-year-old Jordan Neely by Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg. Video footage showed the marine veteran put Jordan Neely in a fatal chokehold after witnesses say Neely was threatening passengers on a New York City subway. Penny’s attorneys started a GiveSendGo fundraiser to help him with his legal defense and has nearly 25,000 donations totaling over $1 million as of Saturday afternoon.
“Daniel Penny is a twenty-four-year-old college student and decorated Marine veteran, facing a criminal investigation stemming from him protecting individuals on [an] NYC subway train from an assailant who later died,” the fundraiser says. “Funds are being raised to pay Mr. Penny’s legal fees incurred from any criminal charges filed and any future civil lawsuits that may arise, as well as expenses related to his defense.”
Many of the donations come from anonymous donors giving small amounts. Comments praising the Marine for his actions on the subway and expressing disbelief that he was charged with a crime flooded the fundraising platform.
“I am a 76 year old male a wounded combat veteran of the Vietnam War also a retired sgt from the NYPD I just can’t believe how 😳 this country has become,” a comment from Johnny V read.
“When somebody steps up in defense against a terrifying, ranting bully, that somebody should be applauded and not persecuted. We need more Daniel Perrys in this world!” donor Alfredo Rodriguez said.
The fundraiser benefited from a Friday night tweet by Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, who referred to Penny as a “Good Samaritan” and directed people to the campaign.
“We must defeat the Soros-Funded DAs, stop the Left’s pro-criminal agenda, and take back the streets for law abiding citizens,” DeSantis said.
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We must defeat the Soros-Funded DAs, stop the Left's pro-criminal agenda, and take back the streets for law abiding citizens. We stand with Good Samaritans like Daniel Penny. Let’s show this Marine… America’s got his back.
https://t.co/uQXZuT19Mo
— Ron DeSantis (@RonDeSantisFL) May 13, 2023
Penny took down Neely, who passengers said was threatening people on the subway and saying that he didn’t care if he went to jail. The Marine veteran put Neely in a chokehold, which the New York City medical examiner said killed him, ruling the incident a homicide, but criminal proceedings must determine Penny’s intent or culpability.
Neely had over 40 prior arrests, including for violent crimes, and struggled with mental health issues. Two years ago, he was arrested for punching a 67-year-old female in the face and knocking her to the ground as she exited a subway station. Neely was also arrested for attempting to kidnap a 7-year-old girl he was seen dragging down a street, according to the New York Daily News.
