Defense Expert Testifies in Penny Trial

In the ongoing trial of Daniel Penny, the defense presented forensic pathologist Dr. Satish Chundru, who testified that Jordan Neely's death was not caused by the chokehold administered by Penny. Chundru indicated that Neely's death resulted from a combination of factors, including his mental health issues, the effects of synthetic marijuana, and a sickle cell crisis, rather than the chokehold itself. He disputed the medical examiner's earlier ruling that the chokehold was the cause of death, noting discrepancies in the physical evidence, such as bruising and petechiae. Penny is charged with manslaughter and criminally negligent homicide but claims he was acting in self-defense against Neely, who had exhibited threatening behavior on the subway. The trial has drawn attention to the complexities surrounding the causes of death in such cases, as well as the broader implications regarding mental health and public safety. The defense's argument attempts to highlight the multitude of factors contributing to Neely's death, challenging the narrative that solely attributes it to Penny's actions.