NEW YORK, NY — Councilwoman Vickie Paladino sharply criticized Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg after attending the closing arguments in the case of Daniel Penny, who is charged with manslaughter for the fatal chokehold of Jordan Neely on a subway train in May.
Paladino, a Republican representing Queens, called the prosecution’s approach a “travesty” in a post on social media Tuesday, accusing the district attorney’s office of politically motivated actions. “I saw [a] despicable excuse for a DA stand up in front of a court and flagrantly lie for no other reason but to destroy the life of a good man,” Paladino wrote on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter.
Penny, a 24-year-old Marine Corps veteran, has argued that his actions were in self-defense after Neely, a homeless man, became threatening toward passengers. The case has garnered national attention, with some viewing Penny as a hero and others calling his actions unjustifiable.
The Manhattan DA’s office has argued that Penny’s response was excessive, resulting in Neely’s death. Bragg has not responded directly to Paladino’s comments but has previously emphasized the office’s commitment to justice and due process.
Paladino concluded her remarks by calling for Bragg’s removal, stating, “The Manhattan DA will not think twice about destroying the life of anyone who stands up to criminals in self-defense.”
The case underscores deep divisions over public safety, self-defense, and the role of prosecutors in high-profile incidents.
