Daniel Penny Sued as Jury Deliberates: 'A Sum Which Exceeds ... Jurisdictional Limits'

Daniel Penny now finds himself entangled in yet another complex legal battle, even as he awaits the outcome of his first.

The tragic death of Jordan Neely in May 2023 drew nationwide attention, largely because Penny, a Marine Corps veteran, was at the center of the incident.

Neely, a Michael Jackson impersonator who reportedly struggled with mental health issues, began issuing threats to passengers on a New York City subway train.

When those threats escalated, Penny stepped in and restrained Neely in what has been described as a headlock or chokehold.

The encounter resulted in Neely’s death at age 30.

Penny quickly became a controversial figure. Supporters hailed him as a courageous hero protecting fellow citizens, while critics condemned him as a reckless vigilante.

Unsurprisingly, as the New York Post has reported, jury deliberations in Penny's criminal trial had not reached a conclusion by Thursday morning.

According to the Post, while the Manhattan trial entered its second break on Wednesday with no verdict, Neely’s father, Andre Zachary, filed a civil lawsuit against Penny.

Zachary appears to be seeking significant compensation, as the lawsuit filed in New York Supreme Court states he “demands judgment awarding damages in a sum which exceeds the jurisdictional limits of all lower Courts, which would otherwise have jurisdiction.”

Throughout this ordeal, Penny has consistently asserted his innocence.

“I wasn’t trying to injure him,” Penny explained to detectives in footage shown to jurors. “I’m just trying to keep him from hurting anybody else.”

Zachary, however, rejects Penny’s version of events. The lawsuit accuses Penny of negligent conduct, assault, and battery — all of which allegedly contributed to Neely’s death.

Currently, Penny faces charges of manslaughter and criminally negligent homicide.

“If Penny is found guilty of manslaughter, the jury will have found that he ‘recklessly’ caused the death of Neely,” the Post noted. “If the jury finds Penny not guilty of manslaughter, it will then consider whether he’s guilty of criminally negligent homicide.

“Penny cannot be convicted on both counts.”

The most severe penalty Penny faces is 15 years in prison.

However, neither charge carries a mandatory minimum sentence, meaning that if found guilty, Penny could potentially avoid jail time and serve probation instead.

According to CBS News, jurors resumed deliberations for a third day.