During day two of the manslaughter case against Daniel Penny, he was stripped of his name and referred to as “the white man.”
The prosecution questioned why Penny, a 26-year-old Marine Corps veteran, did not see the humanity of Jordan Neely, a mentally ill homeless man he is accused of killing with a subway chokehold.
Throughout the trial, Penny was repeatedly reduced to his race and sex by the prosecution, further emphasizing the racial undertones of the case.
One bystander, Ivette Rosario, referred to Penny as “the white guy” in her testimony and was not corrected by the prosecution, who continued to refer to Penny as “the white man” throughout the questioning.
When Penny’s defense attorney clarified his client’s name as “Danny,” the atmosphere in the courtroom shifted, bringing a sense of humanity back to the proceedings.
Rosario testified about the fear she felt during the incident on the subway, capturing a shaky video of Penny holding Neely in a chokehold.
As the trial continued, more evidence was presented, including a graphic video shot by journalist Juan Alberto Vazquez, showing the struggle between Penny and Neely.
The trial highlighted the tragic consequences of the city’s approach to dealing with the mentally ill and violent individuals, with Penny being the one held accountable for his actions.
