New York City Councilmember Vicki Palladino is the Manhattan District Attorney following Monday's acquittal of Marine Corps veteran Daniel Penny on District Attorney Alvin Bragg's charges in the high-profile subway strangulation case. It is calling on the incoming Trump administration to launch a federal civil rights investigation into the department. , among other things, was politically motivated.
“It's really simple. Prosecutors in Manhattan have made this a racial issue. We've seen what Attorney General Bragg can do and what he's tried to pursue, and President Trump and this one, Penny. “I think it's the best icing on the cake…They're doing that. I think this is definitely political and I think the entire Manhattan DA's office needs to be investigated,” she told “Fox & Friends.” spoke. First up is Tuesday.
Mr. Palladino, a Republican, has been outspoken on behalf of Mr. Penny, 26, and expressed support for Mr. Penny at a press conference last year, claiming that Mr. Penny had been “failed by the system.” , demanded a fair trial.
Daniel Penny nominated for Congressional nomination by House Republicans
Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg speaks during a press conference at the Louis J. Lefkowitz State Office Building in New York City on March 21, 2024. (Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images)
Penny was charged with second-degree manslaughter and criminally negligent homicide in the death of 30-year-old homeless man Jordan Neely, who was strangled to death on a New York City subway train after he allegedly threatened another passenger.
The manslaughter charge was dropped Friday at the request of prosecutors after jurors twice failed to reach unanimous agreement.
Penny was acquitted of negligent homicide on Monday, angering Black Lives Matter activists who said they would protest the outcome.
“This weekend they [jurors] They knew they were sent in to convict him no matter what, and I think there were a lot of people on Friday who knew that and were serving on the jury, and why it came back so quickly. I think that's why I came here,” Palladino said. Said.
Daniel Penny found not guilty in subway chokehold trial
Vicki Palladino attends the trial of Daniel Penny at the Supreme Criminal Court building in Manhattan on Monday, December 2, 2024 in New York City. (Julia Bonavita/Fox News Digital)
bragg stated in a statement “The jury has now spoken. The Manhattan Prosecutor's Office deeply respects the jury process and respects the jury's verdict,” he said following the acquittal.
The statement continued: “Unfortunately, during the course of this trial, talented career prosecutors and their families were subjected to hate and intimidation via social media, phone calls, and emails. Simply put, this is unacceptable. And no matter who you are, your opinion on this matter should condemn it.
“These are prosecutors who have dedicated decades to public service and the safety of Manhattan. I am grateful to them and the NYPD for their hard work and dedication not only to this issue but to all of their work. ” Finally, on behalf of the people of New York, I would like to thank Judge Wiley for presiding over this case.
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Maude Maron, a lawyer and Republican who is running for Mr. Bragg's seat, also spoke with “Fox & Friends” co-host Lawrence Jones on Monday and criticized the progressive DA's office.
“Alvin Bragg came into this office with a memo on his first day that was wrong on a number of counts, stating that he would treat failure to charge, resisting arrest, and certain felonies as misdemeanors. , that is not his role,” she said. Said.
“He's out. He's going to end his term with this Daniel Penny case. For him to try to prosecute a young man who had no criminal record, served his country honorably, and did what so many others have done. That's going to be his legacy.'' People on the subway will want to be brave young people and try to protect people on the subway. ”
