Man charged with manslaughter in Daniel Penny trial acquitted due to jury deadlock

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The judge in the trial of Daniel Penny, accused of using a deadly chokehold on Jordan Neely in a New York City subway, dismissed a manslaughter charge after jurors were deadlocked. They will now consider only criminally negligent homicide, carrying a maximum sentence of four years. Penny pleads not guilty. The jury of seven women and five men twice indicated they couldn’t agree on manslaughter. Penny restrained Neely, a homeless man with mental illness, with a chokehold, despite Neely’s erratic behavior. Neely died from a neck compression due to the chokehold. The case sparked debates on racial justice, subway safety, homelessness, and mental illness. Penny and his attorneys claim he acted to protect others, not to harm Neely. The jury, given an Allen charge to reach a unanimous verdict, requested to rewatch videos and hear testimony again. The defense sought a mistrial when the jury couldn’t decide. The judge dismissed the manslaughter charge but urged the jury to make a just decision. The case is considered factually uncomplicated, with the jurors showing conscientiousness in their approach. They will continue deliberations with a focus on whether Penny’s actions caused Neely’s death and if he acted recklessly. This case addresses complex societal issues and legal considerations, highlighting the challenges in reaching a verdict in a high-profile trial.

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