Vice President-elect JD Vance has invited Daniel Penny, the Marine veteran recently acquitted in the chokehold death of Jordan Neely, to attend the Army-Navy football game as his guest.
As per NBC News, Penny will watch the game alongside Vance in President-elect Donald Trump’s suite at the Washington Commanders Stadium in Landover, Maryland.
The invitation comes days after Penny’s acquittal on charges of criminally negligent homicide. Speaking about the invite, Vance described Penny as a “good guy” whose life was unfairly targeted.
“New York’s mob district attorney tried to ruin his life for having a backbone,” Vance wrote on X. “I’m grateful he accepted my invitation and hope he’s able to have fun and appreciate how much his fellow citizens admire his courage”, he added.
Penny was found not guilty earlier this week in the death of Jordan Neely, a homeless man who died after Penny placed him in a chokehold on a New York subway train in May 2023.
Prosecutors alleged that Penny’s actions were reckless, while Penny argued he acted in self-defence and to protect others.
Witnesses, including Juan Alberto Vazquez, described Neely as shouting aggressively and making threatening remarks before the incident.
According to Vazquez, Neely declared he was hungry, thirsty, and willing to die or go to jail. “He was threatening to kill people … and didn’t care if he went to jail for the rest of his life,” Penny told Fox News, adding that he felt he was in a vulnerable position and feared for others’ safety.
As per The Hill, Vance refrained from publicly commenting on the case during the trial but expressed relief at the verdict. “Thank God justice was done in this case,” Vance stated after the acquittal. “It was a scandal Penny was ever prosecuted in the first place.”
Invitation amid controversy
Penny’s invitation to the Army-Navy game underscores his support from members of Trump’s incoming administration. The annual game, a significant event in the military community, provides Penny with an opportunity to step away from the legal proceedings that have brought him widespread attention.
While praised as a hero by many, Penny’s actions have also sparked debate about the treatment of mental health crises and public safety. Neely, a former street performer battling schizophrenia, was homeless at the time of his death. His case continues to divide opinions on how such incidents should be handled.
According to The Independent, Vance, who also served in the Marine Corps, highlighted Penny’s actions as courageous. “I hope he’s able to appreciate how much his fellow citizens admire his courage,” Vance said of Penny’s decision to attend the game.
Penny’s appearance at the game, set for Saturday afternoon, will likely draw further public attention as debates over his actions and the subsequent trial continue.