Chaos Erupts Outside Courthouse After Daniel Penny Acquittal - BLM Leader Calls for 'Black Vigilantes'

On Monday, Hawk Newsome, the founder of Black Lives Matter’s Greater New York City chapter, called for “black vigilantes” following the acquittal of Daniel Penny in the 2023 death of Jordan Neely.

The incident occurred on a New York City subway, where Penny restrained Neely in a chokehold after Neely allegedly acted erratically and claimed, "someone would die that day." Neely’s death was later confirmed.

Penny faced charges of second-degree manslaughter and criminally negligent homicide. While the jury deadlocked on the first charge last Friday, they delivered a verdict of not guilty on the second charge on Monday.

“We need some black vigilantes,” Newsome declared in a video shared on X (formerly Twitter).

He added, “People wanna jump up and choke us and kill us for being loud? How about we do the same when they attempt to oppress us?”

As Penny left the courtroom, Newsome reportedly addressed him with the words, “It’s a small world, buddy,” as quoted by The New York Times.

Jordan Neely’s father, Andre Zachary, expressed his grief and frustration over the jury’s decision. Speaking to CNN, he said, “It hurts, it really, really hurts. What are we going to do, people? What’s going to happen to us now? I’ve had enough of this. The system is rigged.” Protesters echoed his sentiments, chanting, “no justice, no peace.”

Donte Mills, an attorney for Neely’s family, described their reaction to the verdict as “devastated, upset, angry, hurt.” Reflecting on the outcome, he remarked, “Last week the jury couldn’t decide on the top charge, and they come back this week and they give up on us. The district attorney did a good job, but the jury in this case let us down.”

The Manhattan District Attorney’s office, led by Alvin Bragg, defended its decision to pursue charges against Penny. In a statement quoted by the New York Post, the office highlighted the jury’s diligence, saying, “The jury carefully deliberated for four days. They requested readbacks of testimony and asked for video footage to re-watch, as well as written definitions of the law. Their lengthy deliberation — and the totality of the facts and the evidence — underscored why this case was put in front of a jury of Mr. Penny’s peers.”

The statement also condemned the threats directed at prosecutors during the trial, stating, “Unfortunately, over the duration of this trial, talented career prosecutors and their family members were besieged with hate and threats — on social media, by phone and over email. Simply put, this is unacceptable, and everyone, no matter your opinion on this case, should condemn it.”

Meanwhile, Republican Rep. Mike Lawler of New York criticized Bragg, accusing him of neglecting his duty to maintain public safety. “Alvin Bragg has failed in his responsibilities to enforce the law and keep New Yorkers safe. Sadly, he has engaged in political prosecutions on numerous cases, including President Trump, Daniel Penny and Jose Alba,” Lawler commented. Alba, a bodega worker, faced murder charges after defending himself during an attack.

Lawler concluded by stating, “He should be removed from office immediately.”