Southwest Montana News

Rep. Matt Rosendale (R-Mont.) sent a letter to New York County District Attorney that said he had “deep concern regarding the attempt to charge and convict former U.S. Marine Daniel Penny, for second degree manslaughter of well-known criminal Jordan Neely.”

“Rather than arraign a U.S. veteran for manslaughter, you should be praising him as a Good Samaritan,” wrote Rosendale. “When soft-on-crime prosecutors, like yourself, fail to address lawlessness and debauchery in their cities, Americans such as Daniel Penny are leaving to protect themselves and others now more than ever in the face of rising rate of crime.”

“As the Left continues to push the defund the police movement, it is imperative that you do not condemn and persecute Good Samaritans who are stopping criminals,” said Rosendale.

On May 1, 2023, Penny placed Neely in a chokehold on a New York City subway because Neely was shouting at passengers, with witnesses describing Neely’s behavior as erratic. Neely died while in the chokehold.

Penny, 24, served as a rifleman in the Marine Corps from 2017 to 2021, with deployments to Spain, Greece, Jordan, Oman, Bahrain, Kuwait, and Japan. He also served as an instructor in water survival and an infantry squad leader.

His military decorations include the Sea Service Deployment Ribbon, the Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal, the Humanitarian Service Medal, and the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal. 

Neely, 30, had a criminal record, with 42 arrests on charges including petit larceny, jumping subway turnstiles, theft, and three unprovoked assaults on women in the subway between 2019 and 2021. He had an active warrant for a felony assault charge at the time of his death.

His letter to Bragg, Rosendale wrote that crime in New York City “rose significantly” while Bragg served as district attorney. The letter included New York Police Department data that said “New York City saw a 23 percent surge in major crimes,” with police officers “leaving the force in droves.”

The letter to Bragg also was signed by Rep. Eli Crane (R-Ariz.), Rep. Andy Biggs (R-Ariz.), Rep. Josh Brecheen (R-Okla.), Rep. Michael Cloud (R-Texas), Rep. Paul Gosar (R-Ariz.), Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.), Rep. Mary Miller (R-Ill.), Rep. Barry Moore (R-Ala.), Rep. Andy Ogles (R-Tenn.), and Rep. Troy Nehls (R-Texas).