“In short, his actions on the train, and now his words, show why he needs to be in prison,\u201d attorneys for Neely’s family said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A U.S. Marine veteran expressed no remorse and felt “entitled” to kill Jordan Neely on a New York City subway train, the homeless man’s family said Monday.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Lawyers for Daniel J. Penny, 24, on Friday had defended their client, saying Neely had been “aggressively threatening” their client and other riders aboard an F train in Manhattan last week.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Representatives for Neely’s family responded on Monday, saying Penny had no regard to their loved one’s life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cDaniel Penny\u2019s press release is not an apology nor an expression of regret,” said a statement from attorneys representing Neely\u2019s family. “It is a character assassination, and a clear example of why he believed he was entitled to take Jordan\u2018s life,” said the attorneys, Donte Mills and Lennon Edwards.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Penny’s lawyers could not be immediately reached for comment Monday.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
They had said on Friday that Neely had long suffered from mental illness and had a documented history of violent and erratic behavior.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But Neely\u2019s family countered on Monday and said Penny could not have known of their loved one’s past struggles before applying a chokehold. By the time police reached the subway train where the confrontation unfolded, Neely was unconscious and died at the scene.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“The truth is, he knew nothing about Jordan’s history when he intentionally wrapped his arms around Jordan\u2018s neck, and squeezed and kept squeezing,” said the statement from Mills and Edwards.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“He never attempted to help him at all. In short, his actions on the train, and now his words, show why he needs to be in prison,” the attorneys said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Penny was questioned by police, released and has not been charged with any crimes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n