Daniel Penny spoke with The NY Post in an exclusive interview Saturday to assure people that he’s not a white supremacist after being seen on video fatally choking Jordan Neely on a New York City subway.
“This had nothing to do with race,” Penny claimed.“I judge a person based on their character. I’m not a white supremacist. I mean, it’s, it’s a little bit comical. Everybody who’s ever met me can tell you, I love all people, I love all cultures. You can tell by my past and all my travels and adventures around the world. I was actually planning a road trip through Africa before this happened.”
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During the conversation Penny also gave some words to Neely’s family. “I’m deeply saddened by the loss of life,” He said. ” It’s tragic what happened to him. Hopefully, we can change the system that’s so desperately failed us. He was also asked if he was in a similar situation would handle things the same way. “You know, I live an authentic and genuine life,” Penny said. “And I would — if there was a threat and danger in the present …”
Daniel Penny’s attorney previously released a statement on his behalf saying, “Mr. Neely had a documented history of violent and erratic behavior, the apparent result of ongoing and untreated mental illness. 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. For too long, those suffering from mental illness have been treated with indifference.”
As we previously reported, Attorneys for Jordan Neely’s family responded to Daniel Penny’s statement he released to the public saying Penny had no regard for Neely’s life.
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“Daniel Penny’s press release is not an apology nor an expression of regret. It is a character assassination and a clear example of why he believed he was entitled to take Jordan’s life. In the first paragraph, he talks about how ‘good’ he is and the next paragraph he talks about how ‘bad’ Jordan was in an effort to convince us Jordan’s life was ‘worthless.’ The truth is, he knew nothing about Jordan’s history when he intentionally wrapped his arms around Jordan’s neck, and squeezed and kept squeezing. In the last paragraph, Daniel Penny suggests that the general public has shown ‘indifference’ for people like Jordan, but that term is more appropriately used to describe himself. It is clear he is the one who acted with indifference, both at the time he killed Jordan and now in his first public message. He never attempted to help him at all. In short, his actions on the train, and now his words, show why he needs to be in prison,” attorneys Donte Mills and Lennon Edwards said.