NYC Mayor Eric Adams Defends Daniel Penny, Calls Out Media Bias

New York City Democratic Mayor Eric Adams has come out strongly in defense of former U.S. Marine Daniel Penny, who faces charges of second-degree manslaughter and criminally negligent homicide for restraining Jordan Neely on a subway last year. Adams also criticized the media for its portrayal of the incident, accusing outlets of distorting the narrative to influence public perception.

Adams on Subway Safety:

The mayor underscored the fear that Neely’s alleged threatening behavior caused among subway passengers. “We’re now on the subway where we’re hearing someone talking about hurting people, killing people,” Adams explained during an interview with former gubernatorial candidate Rob Astorino. “You have someone [Penny] on that subway who was responding, doing what we should have done as a city.”

Adams reiterated the passengers’ right to feel safe in public spaces, emphasizing that the incident reflects broader issues with NYC’s public safety and mental health systems.

The Mental Health Crisis:

Adams didn’t shy away from addressing the systemic failures that contributed to the tragedy. He criticized past decisions to close psychiatric wards, leaving vulnerable individuals without proper care. “A complete failure from the days of closing psychiatric wards and having those who needed help just turned over into the street without giving any safety net to accept them,” Adams lamented.

In 2022, Adams faced backlash from far-left groups when he proposed involuntarily hospitalizing severely mentally ill individuals to ensure their safety and the safety of others, a policy he described as a “moral obligation.”

Criticism of Media Coverage:

Adams accused the media of shaping a misleading narrative by using photos of a younger, smiling Jordan Neely performing as a Michael Jackson impersonator. “Look at the photo that they used to show the victim,” Adams said, highlighting how it skewed public perception. “It wanted to set up in the minds of people that we were dealing with a young innocent child.”

Witnesses testified that Neely made threatening statements on the subway, declaring his willingness to die or go to prison for life. Toxicology reports found Neely had K2, a synthetic drug linked to psychosis, in his system at the time of his death.

The Legal Battle Ahead:

Daniel Penny faces up to 15 years in prison if convicted. Jury deliberations are expected to begin Tuesday, and the outcome of the case will likely ignite further debate about public safety, mental health care, and self-defense in urban environments.

Adams’ defense of Penny and sharp criticism of media bias reflect the challenges facing New York City as it grapples with balancing compassion, justice, and public safety.

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