Marine Veteran Daniel Penny’s Legal Defense Fund Exceeds $2M in Donations.

Fundraiser for Marine Veteran’s Legal Expenses Tops $2 Million

A GiveSendGo campaign set up to cover Marine veteran Daniel Penny’s legal expenses in his New York City subway criminal case has raised over $2.1 million as of Monday. Penny was arraigned on a second-degree manslaughter charge in the death of 30-year-old homeless man Jordan Neely. His lawyers established the campaign, which had raised over $460,000 by Friday afternoon. Penny put Neely in a chokehold as seen in video from the incident, while two other passengers helped restrain the man. The city medical examiner ruled Neely’s death a homicide, concluding he died due to “compression of neck (chokehold).”

Support for Penny

Many high-profile people have stepped up to support Penny, including Navy JAG veteran and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, journalist Tim Pool, Republican presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy, and musician Kid Rock. DeSantis tweeted, “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.” Pool gave $20,000; Ramaswamy, $10,000 and Kid Rock, $5,000.

The Incident

A witness told the New York Post that Neely was verbally threatening passengers on the subway of the afternoon of May 1 when Penny stepped in. “This gentleman, Mr. Penny, did not stand up,” the rider said. “Did not engage with the gentleman. He said not a word. It was all Mr. Neely that was … threatening the passengers. If he did not get what he wants.”

• Penny put Neely in a chokehold as seen in video from the incident, while two other passengers helped restrain the man.
• Those assisting Penny have not been charged, according to the U.K. Daily Mail.
• Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg‘s office charged Penny after multiple protests broke out in the city over the incident.

Do you think Penny will get a fair trial?

Words of Encouragement

Many left words of encouragement along with their contributions on the site, writing that they’re praying for Penny and that he did the right thing by seeking to protect himself and others. Penny’s attorneys wrote on the GiveSendGo site, “All contributions are greatly appreciated. Any proceeds collected which exceed those necessary to cover Mr. Penny’s legal defense will be donated to a mental health advocacy program in New York City.”