The shocking footage presented in court showed the moment former marine Daniel Penny put homeless man Jordan Neely in a chokehold on a Manhattan subway. Despite the troubled homeless man still having a pulse when first responders arrived, he ultimately died. The chaotic bodycam footage captured the efforts of police officers and medics to resuscitate Neely through chest compressions, CPR, and the administration of Narcan.
At the trial, NYPD Officer Teodoro Tejada testified as the first witness, recounting that when first responders arrived, they initially found a faint pulse in Neely. However, as minutes passed, officers were no longer able to detect a pulse. Penny, who is accused of putting Neely in the fatal chokehold, was seen calmly standing next to the unconscious man, chewing what appeared to be gum. A search of Neely’s possessions revealed only a muffin in his jacket.
Penny faces up to 15 years in prison for his role in Neely’s death. Additional footage from the body camera of Officer Dennis Kang showed him desperately trying to revive Neely by shaking him and attempting to feel for a pulse. Despite feeling a slight pulse at times, Kang did not see Neely breathe and did not administer rescue breaths. He also noted the lack of proper equipment on the scene when they arrived to assist Neely.
Bodycam footage from NYPD Sgt. Carl Johnson showed a different angle of the chaotic scene, with officers giving Neely chest compressions before EMS workers arrived. Johnson stated that he ordered Narcan as Neely was suspected of being a drug user and appearing very dirty. The trial, which is expected to last up to six weeks, will continue to delve into the events leading up to Neely’s death and Penny’s role in the tragic incident.
The footage played in court showed the extent of efforts made by first responders and police officers to resuscitate Neely in the aftermath of the chokehold incident. The trial proceedings, including witness testimonies and bodycam footage, provided a detailed account of the events leading up to Neely’s death and the actions taken by those involved in attempting to save him. The trial’s duration of six weeks indicates the complexity of the case and the need to thoroughly examine the evidence and testimonies presented. Ultimately, the trial will determine the legal consequences for Penny and provide closure for the tragic incident that resulted in Neely’s death on a Manhattan subway platform.
