She expressed her gratitude with a simple “thank you.”
On May 1, 2023, Alethea Gittings uttered these words to Daniel Penny, marking a significant moment in his turbulent manslaughter trial.
Gittings was a witness to the events that unfolded on the Uptown F train involving Jordan Neely, a homeless man with mental health and substance abuse issues.
Despite being scared during Neely’s outburst on the train, Gittings felt thankful towards Penny, a Marine veteran, for his actions that day.
She testified that she returned to express her gratitude to Mr. Penny for his heroic actions.
Gittings, a stylish mother of two with over 50 years of subway experience, shared her harrowing encounter with Neely’s threatening behavior.
Her testimony shed light on the chaotic situation that unfolded on that fateful day.
Other witnesses, like Dan Couvreur and Lori Sitro, also testified about the events on the train and Neely’s behavior.
In a city where violent incidents are not uncommon, those who step up to help should be commended, not prosecuted.
Alathea Gittings’ simple act of gratitude towards Daniel Penny serves as a reminder of the importance of acknowledging bravery in the face of danger.
