Despite heading into the most important week of their lives, Danielle Penny's family remains grateful.
“We are blessed and grateful for everything we have. We have each other,” Penny's mother, Gina Frame Penny, told me on the eve of Thanksgiving. spoke.
On Thursday, Daniel and his mother and sister Taylor Penny, 24, gathered at their maternal grandparents' home. His two other sisters, Jackie Penny, 27, and Katy Penny, 22, were in Miami and Texas, respectively, but they all planned to FaceTime to have a meal “together.” I was doing it.
In addition to traditional Thanksgiving dishes, Flame Penny's mother made her famous lasagna.
“I can't cook as well as my mother, but Danny said, 'Nonna's is the best,'” she said, adding that her mother was happy to make her special dishes for her grandchildren. . “My parents love him very much. He always visits them.”
Flame Penny and her three daughters say they plan to treat Thanksgiving like any other family holiday: games, jokes and, of course, Nonna's lasagna. But there is nothing typical in their world.
Their beloved “Danny” was charged with second-degree manslaughter and criminal negligence after prosecutors say he killed Jordan Neely, a mentally disabled homeless man, on an F train in May 2023 by strangling him. He is charged with manslaughter.
A month later, the trial is nearing its end. Both sides will make closing statements Monday, leaving the 26-year-old Long Island native's future in the hands of a jury of 12 Manhattan residents. He faces up to 15 years in prison.
“There's a lot at stake,” eldest son Jackie admitted to the Post. “Our brother's fate will essentially be decided. At the end of the day, we believe that whatever happens is God's will. We will get through it together.”
This controversial case stirred racial tensions, exposed gross inadequacies in prosecutor Alvin Bragg's mitigation policies and the twisted sympathies of the left, and exposed dangerous, mentally ill, and violent criminals. allowed people to roam freely.
But Penny women say it has strengthened their family ties and their faith.
“We've seen Danny be very strong through all of this. It got a lot of attention when this first happened, but it's really scary and uncertain. It makes you want to distance yourself and hide. But , his strength encouraged us,” Jackie said.
Katie echoed her eldest sister's sentiments. “I give him credit because he's so calm and it hasn't been easy. He's putting everything in God's hands.”
His mother is coping in her own way and keeping busy. Flame Penny, who lives in Queens, is both a teacher's assistant and a caregiver for a woman with dementia.
“If you don't have anything to do, you start thinking, oh, I don't want to go, because Danny doesn't want us to be like that.”
It was a fun pastime for the family. Katie plans to get married next December. Nine months ago, she gave birth to a daughter, Aurora. She says that my brother “lights up” when he's with his niece and that she brings out his beautiful side, which makes me so happy. My daughter just loves him. ”
Worship of Marine Corps veterans is a consistent theme in the close-knit family.
“When I was little, I followed him everywhere because I wanted to be his favorite little sister,” Taylor said.
There's a good reason for that. They say he helped them whenever they needed help.
“Danny has always been a good big brother. It reminds me of what he did for me when I was a kid,” Katie said.
The new mother recalled signing up to perform in her elementary school's talent show when she was in first grade. On the day of the performance, the nerves were high and she told her mother that she wanted to quit because she was scared. “About an hour before the show, without hesitation, he said, “I'll dance with you, so you don't have to do it by yourself.''
Penny, who was in fifth grade at the time, kept her promise and performed with her sister in front of the entire school. “Since that day, he's been more than just a big brother to me. I really respect him. I always have and always will.”
They describe Daniel as funny and cheerful, yet dynamic and focused. After talking to the Penny women, I said they are full of grace and discipline.
“I think we've come together well. Behind closed doors, everyone has their moments. All we can do is wait,” Katie said.
They say they are ready for whatever verdict the jury hands down. Even if it's not in Daniel's best interests.
On Sunday night at 5 p.m., the family will host a Zoom call with about 20 relatives to “pray for future decisions.” All we can ask for is prayer,” Jackie said.
