Jordan Neely
| Jordan Neely | |
|---|---|
 Jordan Neely, performing as Michael Jackson, on a NYC subway train. | |
| Born | December 18, 1992 |
| Died | May 1, 2023 (aged 30) NYC subway car |
| Occupation | Entertainer, beggar |
| Known for | killed by a vigilante while aggressively begging on NYC's subway |
Jordan Neely (December 18, 1992 – May 1, 2023) was an American whose killing, on a New York City subway train, triggered controversy.[1][2][3]
Background[edit]
When he was young, adults around Neely felt he was talented, and had a future as an entertainer.[1] As an adult he performed as a busker, but seemed to descend into mental illness. Neely had been homeless, and was supporting himself by soliciting funds, from subway passengers, while they were riding trains. It seems that, on good days, he was able to provide a performance, that would win him cheerful tips. But he had also established a pattern of aggressive begging, and aggressive demands, from riders, that had triggered 40 arrests.[4]
Fox News reports Neely's health issues included Schizophrenia, drug addiction, and being a carrier for sickle cell anemia.[5]
Death[edit]
On May 1, 2023, Neely's demands of patrons was aggressive, and triggered former marine Daniel Penny to put Neely in a chokehold. He kept Neely in that chokehold for over six minutes, and Neely died.
Neely's death was recorded on cell phone video.
Other riders assisted Neely. One rider who assisted in helping to restrain Neely later told police he had exaggerated Neely's aggressiveness in order to justify his role in Neely's death.
One aspect of the police response that concerned Commentators was that, after taking Penny's statement, Police released him, as if they lost interest in further investigating the killing.
References[edit]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1
Stacy M. Brown (2024-10-21). "From Gifted Performer to Tragic Loss: Jordan Neely's Death Brings Daniel Penny to Trial". The Washington Informer. Retrieved 2025-01-20.
The incident has become another flashpoint in discussions about racial justice, the treatment of homeless individuals, and the safety of New York’s subway system. Following Neely’s death, police initially questioned Penny and then released him without filing any charges — a move that received harsh criticism from activists and elected officials.
- ↑
Kiara Alfonseca; Jason Potere (2024-10-21). "Who is Jordan Neely, the man killed in NYC subway chokehold death?". ABC News. Archived from the original on 2024-11-13. Retrieved 2025-01-20.
The contentious debate surrounding New York City's struggle to address homelessness and mental illness has clouded the memory of who Jordan Neely was.
- ↑
Jamelle Bouie (2023-05-06). "The Demonization of the Homeless Has Vile Consequences". The New York Times. Archived from the original on 2023-05-06. Retrieved 2025-01-20.
You may notice that my Now Reading links this week all have to do with homelessness. I made that choice apropos of the killing of Jordan Neely in a subway car in Manhattan on Monday.
- ↑
Arkaprovo Roy (2024-12-09). "Jordan Neely's Arrest Records: A Look At 43 Cases Linked To Daniel Penny Victim". Times Now. Retrieved 2025-01-20.
According to a New York City police representative who talked to Newsweek, Neely has a 42-arrest history, spanning from 2013 to 2021. Among these are four cases involving claimed violence, while other cases included charges of criminal trespass and transportation fraud.
- ↑
Michael Ruiz; Grace Taggart (2024-11-22). "Daniel Penny trial resumes, doctor says chokehold didn't kill Jordan Neely". Fox News. Archived from the original on 2024-11-22. Retrieved 2025-01-20.
Neely, who had health issues including schizophrenia and sickle cell trait and was a chronic abuser of synthetic marijuana, died due to exertion from the struggle and not because he'd been choked out, defense lawyers Thomas Kenniff and Steven Raiser argued.