The jury in the trial of Daniel Penny, who faces charges related to the 2023 subway chokehold death of Jordan Neely, has declared itself deadlocked on the top charge of second-degree manslaughter. Here are the key points known about this situation:
The jury sent a note to Judge Maxwell Wiley indicating they were unable to come to a unanimous decision on the manslaughter charge. They specifically mentioned being "unable to come to a unanimous vote on count 1," which is the manslaughter charge.
Judge Maxwell Wiley responded by giving the jury an Allen charge, an instruction urging them to make every possible effort to reach a verdict. This charge encourages jurors to reevaluate their positions with an open mind, although it has been a subject of debate regarding its potential coerciveness.
The jury began deliberations on Tuesday afternoon and has been discussing the case for several days without reaching a unanimous verdict. They have not yet been allowed to deliberate on the second charge, criminally negligent homicide, until they resolve the manslaughter charge.
Daniel Penny, a former Marine, was accused of manslaughter and criminally negligent homicide after he placed Neely in a chokehold for about six minutes on a New York City subway train. The defense argued that Penny was acting to protect himself and other passengers, while prosecutors claim he used excessive force.
There's been significant public and legal discussion around the case, pointing towards issues of self-defense, the treatment of mental illness in public spaces, and racial dynamics. The case has drawn attention due to these broader societal implications.
This deadlock has led to continued deliberations with the possibility of a mistrial if the jury remains unable to reach a unanimous decision. However, as of the latest updates, the judge has urged them to continue trying to reach a verdict.
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