The nation requires “a lot more Daniel Pennys,” according to Rep.-elect Brandon Gill (R-Texas), who labeled the Marine veteran acquitted of homicide in the recent New York City subway trial as a “patriot.”
During a New York Young Republican Club event on Sunday evening, Gill expressed, “I don’t know about you all, but I think we need a lot more Daniel Pennys in this country, because we have far too many Jordan Neelys.”
Calls for more heroes like Daniel Penny echo in Texas
Daniel Penny, 26, faced manslaughter charges in connection with the death of Jordan Neely, a 30-year-old homeless man who had been behaving erratically and shouting at subway passengers on May 1, 2023. Neely died after Penny placed him in a headlock, with Penny claiming he acted to protect himself and others on the subway.
Last week, Penny was acquitted of criminally negligent homicide. A jury previously failed to reach a verdict on the more serious manslaughter charge, prompting Judge Maxwell Wiley to dismiss that charge upon the prosecutors’ request.
In a legal development, Neely’s father, Andre Zachary, filed a civil lawsuit against Penny, alleging battery, assault, and negligence related to his son’s death. This suit was submitted to the New York Supreme Court.
Gill’s support for Penny aligns with other Republican leaders who have praised him. Vice President-elect JD Vance confirmed on Friday that he had invited Penny to attend the Army-Navy college football game as his guest, while Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) urged Penny to consider suing Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg (D) for “malicious prosecution.”
