“Controversy Surrounds Support for Ex-Soldier Who Drowned Black Homeless Man in USA”
Donations Flood for Ex-US Marine Charged with Second-Degree Murder
A charity site created by the Raiser & Kenniff Law Firm on behalf of Daniel Penny has been inundated with donors. Over 51,000 people have donated a total of $2,497,000. Among the donors are entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy, a Republican candidate for the 2024 Presidential elections who gave $10,000, and musician Kid Rock who donated $5,000.
The funds raised will be used to cover the legal costs and any possible damages for Penny, who is accused of killing Jordan Neely, a homeless 30-year-old with mental health problems. Neely had become aggressive towards passengers at a subway station on May 1 and died while being held down by Penny, causing public outrage and protests for days.
Penny was later released on $100 bail on charges of second-degree murder. If found guilty, he could face up to 15 years in prison. His lawyer, Thomas Kenniff, argued that his client was defending himself and the other passengers at the time of the incident. Eyewitnesses corroborated that Neely had shouted but had not attacked.
Penny is a former US Marine who served four years in the Navy and was discharged with the rank of sergeant in June 2021. The incident has once again highlighted issues of police brutality, accountability, and race in America.
