On the second day of the manslaughter trial of the former Marine Corps veteran, Daniel Penny, a disturbing trend emerged. Penny was no longer referred to by his name but simply as “the white man” by the prosecution. This dehumanizing tactic was evident during the testimony of Ivette Rosario, a young bystander who captured a video of Penny holding a chokehold on Jordan Neely, a mentally ill homeless man who later died.
Rosario, visibly nervous and unsure of Penny’s name, initially referred to him as “the white guy.” However, Assistant DA Jillian Shartrand continued to address Penny as “the white man” throughout the questioning, even though Penny’s defense attorney clarified his client’s name as “Danny.”
The racial undertones of the case, with allegations of Penny being a “racist vigilante,” added a layer of complexity to the trial. Despite the lack of malicious intent, the repeated use of “the white man” felt insensitive and inappropriate.
Rosario testified about the fear she experienced on the day of the incident, describing Neely’s aggressive behavior and threats of violence. She captured the chaotic scene on the subway, with onlookers pleading for Penny to release Neely. Another video, filmed by journalist Juan Alberto Vazquez, provided a more graphic account of the struggle.
The emotional toll of the trial was evident when Neely’s father left the courtroom during the playback of the videos. Meanwhile, Penny remained stoic, facing the disturbing footage with a detached demeanor.
The trial raises important questions about the city’s approach to handling mentally ill individuals and the safety of everyday New Yorkers. Despite the complexities of the case, one thing is clear – Penny’s actions on that fateful day have landed him in the center of a legal battle that has far-reaching implications for all involved.
