Self-defense or too much force? That’s the question for jurors as subway chokehold trial wraps

Associated Press

NEW YORK (AP) — Closing arguments have begun in the trial of a Marine veteran charged with recklessly choking to death an irate, homeless man on a New York subway train. Prosecutor Dafna Yoran told jurors Monday that Daniel Penny used too much force for too long on Jordan Neely. Defense lawyer Steven Raiser says Penny acted to save subway riders from threatening behavior. Penny has pleaded not guilty to charges including manslaughter in Neely’s May 2023 death. The white veteran Penny put his arm around the neck of Neely, who was Black, for about six minutes. Penny’s reaction to Neely touched raw nerves and fueled debate about race relations, public safety, urban life and different approaches to crime, homelessness and mental illness.