Neely, 30, had even amassed fans outside of New York City.
Neighbors described Neely as kind, chatting about video games and anime, but quiet.
He wanted to go for a swim.
Daniel Penny leaves Manhattan Criminal Court on Jan. 17, 2024 in ManhattanBarry Williams/New York Daily News/Tribune News Service/Getty Images
The car was crowded.
At some point, according to court papers, Neely started yelling.
Several claimed that Neely threw his jacket on the floor.
Many said that Neely said he wanted to go to jail or prison.
A handful said that Neely threatened to hurt others on the train.
Some said that Neely didnt say anything of the sort.
For me, it was like another day typically in New York.
Thats what Im used to seeing.
Penny approached Neely from behind, grabbed him around the neck, and pulled him to the floor.
Pennys back was against the ground, Neelys back against his chest.
Penny continued gripping him around the neck, and wrapped his legs around Neeleys.
Neely could not break free.
The train roared into Broadway-Lafayette station.
Most riders in the car disembarked.
But Penny kept restraining Neely.
At some point, two other male passengers grabbed Neelys arms, further thwarting his escape.
Five minutes into Pennys restraint, Neely stopped moving with any discernible purpose.
One witness described Neelys comportment as twitching and the kind of agonal movement that you see around death.
If you dont let him go now, youre going to kill him, one rider told Penny.
After more than six minutes, Penny wriggled out from under Neely.
Penny and one of the passengers rolled Neelys limp body onto the side.
A thick and pinkish substance spilled out of Neelys mouth, according to court documents.
The police arrived several minutes later.
Neelys pulse was faint and he was not breathing.
Police tried CPR to no avail: Neely was pronounced dead at a nearby hospital an hour later.
These specific charges mean that Penny is not being tried for intentionally killing Neely.
At the time, Neelys death sparked a discourse oncrimeand disorder that resonated far outside of New York City.
At first, Penny said, he wasnt paying much mind to Neely.
He was talking gibberish, you know, but …I dont know.
Cops who interacted with Penny described his demeanor as unencumbered.
Video recordings of the encounter surfaced shortly thereafter, prompting public outcry.
The medical examiner then deemed Neelys cause of death compression of neck (chokehold).
Penny was arrested on May 12, 2023.
Top Republicans cast Penny as the true victim in an effort tohammer Democratson crime.
Yes, Trump does have a soft spot forvigilantism.
Its also unclear how much voters will care about the motifs in Pennys trial.
Polling indicates that Americans are most concerned about the economy and migrant crisis.
Another passenger told grand jurors they felt they were going to die.
A high-schooler placed her hands on a classmates chest and recalled praying them doors would open.
Yet another claimed: I have been riding the subway for many years.
I have encountered many things, but nothing that put fear into me like that.
And for that, they have statement after statement.
I just put him out.
I just put him in a chokehold, Penny told police.
He was threatening everybody.
We just went to the ground.
He was trying to roll up, I had him pretty good, Penny told police.
I was in the Marine Corps
