Trial Ongoing in Jordan Neely Death Case

During the trial of Daniel Penny for the death of Jordan Neely, Dr. Cynthia Harris, the medical examiner, testified that Neely died from asphyxiation due to a chokehold applied by Penny, asserting that no other reasonable explanations for his death existed. Harris described graphic evidence, including video footage showing Neely's face turning purple as he was restrained for over six minutes, confirming her ruling of homicide. Despite defense claims regarding Neely's drug use and health issues, Harris maintained that the chokehold alone caused Neely's death, stating that even substantial drug levels would not change her opinion. Penny, who has pleaded not guilty to manslaughter and criminally negligent homicide, argued he was acting to protect passengers from Neely, who was behaving erratically. Additional testimony from a Marine combat instructor highlighted the risks associated with chokehold techniques, reinforcing that prolonged application could result in fatal consequences. The trial continues as the prosecution seeks to establish the cause of death definitively linked to Penny's actions.