Although the Daniel Penny trial is deadlocked with the decide urging jurors to proceed deliberating, ought to they attain a choice, the decision might finally be on one thing far greater than the actions of 1 Marine on a New York Metropolis subway. It might be about what sort of nation we need to be—a nation of women and men keen to step up within the face of hazard, or a nation of cowards who movie chaos on their telephones and do nothing to cease it.
Penny, a Marine veteran, was using the subway when Jordan Neely—a person with a protracted historical past of psychological well being points and violent outbursts—started threatening passengers. Witnesses described Neely’s habits as erratic and horrifying. Penny acted decisively, restraining him in a chokehold to forestall what he and others clearly believed was a possible assault. Tragically, Neely died.
What adopted wasn’t a nuanced take a look at a tragic state of affairs, however a right away rush guilty Penny, partially or in entire, as a result of Penny is white and Neely was black. Neely additionally had a historical past of psychological sickness…and violence. His dying was tragic, however the risk he posed to passengers on the F practice that day was actual. Regardless of that, Manhattan District Lawyer Alvin Bragg wasted no time charging Penny with second-degree manslaughter. Bragg, recognized for his soft-on-crime insurance policies, appeared decided to make an instance of Penny—a person who, in contrast to the violent criminals Bragg usually releases with a slap on the wrist, tried to defend folks. How dare he?!? That’s Bragg’s windfall.
Make no mistake, the prosecution of Penny sends a chilling message to all People: for those who step as much as cease violence, you would possibly change into the following defendant. On the very least it tells us that in Bragg’s New York, the most secure plan of action is to do nothing. Let the chaos unfold, preserve your arms to your self and pray the police arrive earlier than anybody will get critically harm (and in Bragg’s New York in addition to different cities with liberal district attorneys, even the police might wind up getting charged.) Higher but, pull out your telephone and get all of it on video. A minimum of you gained’t find yourself behind bars. Lifeless or critically wounded possibly, however not behind bars.
The irony is nearly insufferable. In a time when violent crime is rising and public security feels extra fragile than ever, Penny’s actions represented precisely the sort of braveness we want. He noticed folks at risk and acted, not out of malice however out of a way of responsibility to guard these round him. He didn’t get up that morning or board that subway coaching considering, “I need to harm or kill any individual immediately.” His sense of responsibility—the willingness to defend others even at private danger—is on the core of what makes a society perform. With out it, we’re simply bystanders to our personal demise.
And let’s not child ourselves about what occurs subsequent if this precedent sticks. Think about the following subway, the following mall, the following road nook the place somebody decides to lash out. Will anybody step in? Or will they hesitate, eager about the potential felony expenses which may await them? Alvin Bragg won’t care, he’s sitting safely in his ivory tower, removed from the hazard spawned by his decisions, however the remainder of us will likely be residing with the implications of his choices for a very long time.
It’s price noting that the jury couldn’t attain a unanimous resolution in Penny’s trial—not less than not but, and possibly the gained’t. That’s no shock. The case was by no means black and white, and it shouldn’t have been dropped at court docket within the first place. Prosecuting Penny wasn’t about justice—it was about politics. It was about sending a message that the powers-that-be are extra fascinated with virtue-signaling than defending their residents.
However right here’s the actual query: What sort of nation do we need to stay in? Will we need to elevate our youngsters in a world the place good males like Daniel Penny are punished for doing the suitable factor, or will we need to stand behind them? Will we need to reward braveness or domesticate a tradition of concern? A part of that reply arrived throughout final month’s elections the place a majoirty of People voted “sufficient” on the weak point of our nation beneath the wan management of Joe Biden, Kamala Harris and the Democrats and determined they wished a robust chief, the kind who can take a bullet and stand again up undaunted.
Penny’s case isn’t over but, however the debate it has sparked will echo far past an eventual jury verdict. And for these of us who consider in self-defense, braveness and the suitable to guard ourselves and others, the stakes couldn’t be greater. Let’s hope the following good Samaritan isn’t afraid to behave—as a result of the choice is a nation that stands by as chaos reigns.
