(New York) A former American soldier pleaded “not guilty” on Wednesday before a New York court, which has been prosecuting him since May for manslaughter after the death by strangulation and asphyxiation of a known homeless man in the city.
In accordance with American criminal procedure, this 24-year-old former Marine Corps soldier, Daniel Penny, appeared before a New York court to be served with his charge, the charge of which was made public in mid-May but which was to be recorded by a grand jury, citizens collaborating in the investigation of the prosecution.
“Daniel Penny presented himself as charged with manslaughter for allegedly strangulation to death (of homeless man) Jordan Neely for several minutes until and after he stopped moving” , 1er May, New York State Attorney for the Borough of Manhattan Alvin Bragg said in a statement.
According to journalists on the spot, Mr. Penny, a curly blond and athletic young man, dressed in a blue suit and a burgundy tie, appeared free on bail and pleaded “not guilty”.
In the event of a trial, Daniel Penny, who served in the army four years until 2021, faces up to 15 years in prison.
According to his lawyers during his indictment in mid-May, the young man did not “intentionally” kill Jordan Neely, who died by strangulation and “compression” in the neck.
His defense, close to the American hard right, launched a kitty and an appeal for donations (1.6 million US dollars collected in mid-May) and believes that Mr. Penny “risked his life in order to protect the passengers of the subway New York of an assailant,” Mr. Neely, whose behavior was erratic according to witnesses.
Jordan Neely, 30, who lived on the streets of Manhattan, had been known for ten years for his likeness and performances imitating music and dance legend Michael Jackson.
A video of the drama, which triggered strong emotions from the 1er May, shows the victim on the ground for five minutes, Daniel Penny lying behind to hobble him. She struggles before not moving.
The case strongly divides in the United States: Republicans, who accuse the Democrats of laxity in the face of crime, congratulated a “vigilante” who acted in “self-defense”.
The left has condemned an act of violence by a “self-proclaimed vigilante” against a homeless African-American suffering from psychiatric disorders, an illustration, it says, of the deep socio-economic and racial inequalities.