Moments before New York Marine Corps veteran Daniel Penny strangled and fatally injured unstable Jordan Neely, a mentally disturbed homeless man was seen waving his fists in the air and shouting at passengers on the subway. testified Thursday.
Moriera Sanchez, an 18-year-old Harlem resident, said she was riding the train home from school when the chaos broke out.
Neely, 30, took off his jacket and testified face-to-face on the 11th day of what is expected to be a six-week trial in New York City.
“If no one gave him water or food, he would start messing with people,” she said. “He was going to launch an attack.”
Teenager who witnessed Jordan Neely's chokehold says she was 'scared' and wanted to 'run' as he screamed
Daniel Penny arrives for opening argument at trial in Manhattan Supreme Court, New York City, November 1, 2024. Penny, a retired Marine, is charged with second-degree manslaughter and criminally negligent homicide in the 2023 death of Jordan Neely. New York City subway train. (Adam Gray, Fox News Digital)
She added that he was yelling at everyone in the vehicle, not a specific passenger. Despite being aggressive, he didn't touch anyone, she added.
“Penny then started putting his hands around his neck and then he dropped Penny so he couldn't attack people,” Sanchez testified. “Penny fell onto her back and Jordan got on top of her.”
Daniel Penny Trial: Meet the jury that will decide the fate of veteran in subway strangulation case
Screenshot of bystander video showing Jordan Neely being strangled on the New York City subway. (Luces de Nueva York/Juan Alberto Vazquez, via Storyful)
She said she believed Penny did it to stop the attack on Neely's people.
She got off at the next stop and called 911. She said Penny was still choking Neely at the time. She noted that another man, whom she described as a black man wearing a hat, helped Penny subdue Neely during the encounter.
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This undated photo on Friday, May 12, 2023, provided by Mills & Edwards LLP in New York, shows Jordan Neely (left) with her aunt Carolyn Neely. (Courtesy of Mills & Edwards, LLP, via AP)
Manhattan prosecutors say Penny went too far and caused Neely's death through negligence. The defense claims his actions were a valid defense.
Penny, a 25-year-old Marine Corps veteran and college student majoring in architecture, could face up to 19 years in prison if convicted.
Neely had a history of mental illness and criminal activity, including a charge of assaulting a 67-year-old man. new york city Women of 2021.
This is a developing story. Stay with Fox News Digital for the latest information.
