DeSantis urges support for Marine vet Daniel Penny, accused of killing homeless man on NYC subway

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis is promoting a website raising funds for the defense of Daniel Penny, the 24-year-old Marine veteran who was charged with second-degree manslaughter in the death of Jordan Neely on a New York City subway.

DeSantis linked in a tweet to a "GiveSendGo" page set up as a legal defense fund for the college student and decorated Marine vet, reported The Daily Wire.  

"We must defeat the Soros-Funded DAs, stop the Left's pro-criminal agenda, and take back the streets for law-abiding citizens," DeSantis tweeted. "We stand with Good Samaritans like Daniel Penny. Let's show this Marine …  America's got his back."

Neely was a homeless man with a history of mental illness, who had been arrested more than 40 times, including for punching a 67-year-old woman in the face and knocking her to the ground as she was leaving a subway station, and for attempting to kidnap a 7-year-old girl who he was seen dragging down a street, according to the New York Daily News.

The Manhattan District Attorney's office headed by Alvin Bragg decided to indict and arrest Penny following protests over Neely's death. No grand jury was involved. Penny could face up to 15 years in prison.

The NYC medical examiner ruled the death of Neely a "homicide," saying that he died from a "chokehold." The issues of intent and culpability will be decided by the criminal justice process.

"This morning, Daniel Penny surrendered at the 5th Precinct at the request of the New York County District Attorney's office. He did so voluntarily and with the sort of dignity and integrity that is characteristic of his history of service to this grateful nation," said Thomas Kenniff, a lawyer for Penny.

A statement from his lawyers said that he, along with others, had acted in self-defense to protect other passengers on the subway.

"When Mr. Neely began aggressively threatening Daniel Penny and the other passengers, Daniel, with the help of others, acted to protect themselves, until help arrived. Daniel never intended to harm Mr. Neely and could not have foreseen his untimely death," the statement said.

The GiveSendGo page described the situation this way: "Daniel Penny is, a twenty-four-year-old college student and decorated Marine veteran, facing a criminal investigation stemming from him protecting individuals on a NYC subway train from an assailant who later died. Funds are being raised to pay Mr. Penny's legal fees incurred from any criminal charges filed and any future civil lawsuits that may arise, as well as expenses related to his defense. All contributions are greatly appreciated. Any proceeds collected which exceed those necessary to cover Mr. Penny's legal defense will be donated to a mental health advocacy program in New York City."