Self-defense or too much force? That’s the question for jurors as subway chokehold trial wraps

Associated Press

NEW YORK (AP) — Closing arguments are set to wrap up Tuesday in the trial of a Marine veteran charged with recklessly choking to death an irate homeless man on a New York subway train. Prosecutor Dafna Yoran told jurors at the start of summations Monday that Daniel Penny used too much force for too long on Jordan Neely. Defense lawyer Steven Raiser says Penny acted to save subway riders from threatening behavior. Penny has pleaded not guilty to charges including manslaughter in Neely’s death last year. Penny is white and Neely was Black. Penny put his arm around Neely’s neck for about six minutes. Penny’s reaction fueled debate about race relations, public safety and approaches to homelessness and mental illness.