Daniel Penny Not Guilty Verdict: “Jordan Neely’s Life Was Brutally Taken Away Because Of…Vigilantism”

By National Action Network Photos: Juan Alberto Vazquez/Juan Vazquez\YouTube Screenshots New York, NY (December 9, 2024) – Rev. Al Sharpton, the Founder and President of the National Action Network (NAN), issued the following statement in response to the verdict in the criminally negligent homicide case against Daniel Penny. “Today’s verdict in the Jordan Neely case does not change what we have known to be true in our hearts since the very beginning: Jordan Neely’s life was brutally taken away because of unnecessary vigilantism. This kind of behavior was inexcusable 40 years ago when Bernhard Goetz opened fire in a subway car, and it remained the case more than a year ago when Daniel Penny took Jordan’s life. Jordan was in the middle of a mental health crisis, but instead of being offered a helping hand, he got an arm around his neck. This verdict represents the blatant legalization of civilian vigilantism, sending a dangerous message that citizens can now take matters into their own hands, even if it leads to someone’s death. That is a threat to all of us. We fought this 40 years ago with Goetz, we fought it when Eric Garner was killed, and we will continue...