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An online fundraiser for Daniel Penny has raised upwards of $2 million, just days after the 24-year-old former Marine was charged with second-degree manslaughter in the killing of 30-year-old Jordan Neely,
Penny’s attorney, Steven M. Raiser, wrote in an email to the New York Post that the massive support only shows that the incident “struck a chord” with New Yorkers “and has been echoed nationwide.”
“The outpouring of support for Danny is always measured by the amount raised, but what is even more telling is that tens of thousands of people from all over the world have taken the time to donate,” Raiser wrote.
Raiser continued: “This level of support demonstrates that the situation forced upon him in that subway car earlier this month, and his subsequent arrest, has struck a chord in the psyche of New Yorkers and has been echoed nationwide.”
“The message being sent by this massive showing of support is that any attempt to undermine the right and duty to protect one another against an imminent threat will be challenged.”
Penny’s attorneys said he didn’t intend to kill Neely, a 30-year-old former street performer, when he placed him in a chokehold on a subway ride in Manhattan earlier this month.
They went on to say he was only attempting to defend himself.
Supporters of the fundraiser appear to agree with the attorney’s stance. One supporter even shared their stance by leaving a comment with their donation, as reported by New York Post.
“This guy is a hero in my eyes. He should get a medal for what he did not jail time … We need to take our City back. God bless this guy for trying to help.”
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis supported Penny’s fundraiser on Twitter, referring to Penny as a “Good Samaritan.”
“We must defeat the Soros-Funded DAs, stop the Left’s pro-criminal agenda, and take back the streets for law-abiding citizens,” Desantis tweeted on Friday. “We stand with Good Samaritans like Daniel Penny. Let’s show this Marine… America’s got his back.”
Reports state the fundraiser, hosted by law firm Raiser & Kenniff, P.C., is raising funds to pay for Daniel’s legal fees. It says the funds will pay for costs “incurred from any criminal charges filed,” as well as any future civil lawsuits and expenses related to his defense.
According to the fundraiser, any extra proceeds will be donated to a mental health advocacy program in New York City.
Neely struggled with mental health issues and reportedly threatened Penny and fellow straphangers at the time of his death. The former Marine was questioned after the incident but released shortly after.
Additionally, Penny was ultimately charged with second-degree manslaughter on Friday.
The entire incident was captured on video.
He was released on $100,000 bail, as reported by The Shade Room last week.
Last week, the medical examiner ruled Neely’s death a homicide by way of neck compression.
Meanwhile, Raiser said Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg must secure a grand jury indictment before the case can proceed.
Daniel Penny’s next court date is scheduled for July.
