The Subway Chokehold Trial: Witnesses Speak Out

In the trial of Daniel Penny, who's accused of manslaughter after putting Jordan Neely in a chokehold on a New York City subway, witnesses have offered differing views. Mothers and other female passengers who were there that day praise Penny's actions, claiming they felt threatened by Neely's erratic behavior. Prosecutors, however, are raising questions about whether Penny's response was racially motivated. Penny, a former Marine, faces up to 19 years in prison if found guilty. Lauri Sitro, a mother who was on the train with her five-year-old son, said she felt relieved when Penny stepped in. She described Neely as screaming and acting differently from other unstable people she's seen on the subway before. Sitro noted that she saw Penny holding Neely down, but couldn't tell if Neely was having trouble breathing. Caedryn Schrunk, a Nike brand manager, also testified that Neely's actions made her fear for her life. A Staten Island-based defense attorney, Louis Gelormino, commented on the witness testimonies, questioning whether Penny had a duty to let Neely go given the perceived danger. The prosecution has the task of proving that Penny's actions were reckless and not what a reasonable person would do. While Penny isn't charged with murder or a hate crime, the prosecution has witnesses referring to Penny by his race, which the defense attempted to dismiss. However, the judge denied their requests. During the opening statement, Assistant District Attorney Danfa Yoran hinted at possible racial bias, suggesting Penny didn't recognize Neely's humanity. Gelormino, the defense attorney, countered that the case isn't about race, and no one has labeled it a racial issue.