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Key witnesses in Daniel Penny, Jordan Neely case refuse to cooperate with DA Bragg's office: report

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Key witnesses in Daniel Penny, Jordan Neely case refuse to cooperate with DA Bragg's office: report

Two European eyewitnesses to the altercation that left Jordan Neely dead and New York City Marine infantry veteran Daniel Penny facing manslaughter charges have gone home and refused to cooperate with prosecutors from Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg’s office, according to a local report.

Penny, 25, is scheduled to go to trial next month after he appeared on cellphone video placing Neely, 30, in a chokehold as other passengers helped restrain him in May 2023. 

The homeless Neely was threatening subway riders and behaving erratically and had a history of mental illness and violence, including the 2021 assault of a 67-year-old woman. He lost consciousness and later died.

The foreign witnesses have spoken with investigators on conference calls but have declined to cooperate or turn over video of the incident, the New York Post reported, citing transcripts from a closed-door meeting with the judge and attorneys for both sides.

US MARINE VET DANIEL PENNY PLEADS NOT GUILTY TO MANSLAUGHTER IN CHOKEHOLD DEATH OF JORDAN NEELY

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Daniel Penny departs Manhattan Criminal Court Jan. 17, 2024. Penny is charged in the New York City subway death of Jordan Neely in 2023. (John M. Mantel for Fox News Digital)

Penny’s lawyers declined to discuss the proceedings Thursday but were quoted in the transcript saying the European couple’s testimony would be “incredibly favorable to the defense.”

Representatives for Bragg’s office did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

“They have so far refused to share the video that they took,” the judge told the lawyers. “They refused to share it with the DA or with anyone else, and they are so far refusing to come back to testify.”

DANIEL PENNY: MARINE VET ACCUSED OF FATAL SUBWAY CHOKEHOLD REVEALS WHY HE STEPPED IN

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A screenshot from a bystander’s video showing Jordan Neely being held in a chokehold on the New York City subway. (Luces de Nueva York/Juan Alberto Vazquez via Storyful)

It was unclear Thursday what the European couple’s video might show.

Prosecutors said in June 2023 that they had already obtained five eyewitness videos of the encounter and surveillance video they planned to introduce as evidence.

“Unfortunately for Penny’s defense team, there is little they can do to compel a foreign national to turn over evidence or testify in court,” said Neama Rahmani, a former federal prosecutor based in Los Angeles. “There are international treaties like the Hague Convention that allow for international service, but, practically speaking, no judge can force the European witnesses to comply with an American subpoena.”

Still, he said, self-defense cases are often difficult to prosecute and result in many not guilty verdicts.

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“Penny’s lawyers will have to rely on witnesses who have actually provided evidence to law enforcement and prosecutors and who live in the state and can be compelled to testify by the judge even if they don’t want to,” he added.

WITNESS TO JORDAN NEELY CHOKEHOLD DEATH CALLS DANIEL PENNY A ‘HERO’

This undated photo, provided by Mills and Edwards, LLP, in New York, May 12, 2023, shows Jordan Neely, left, with Carolyn Neely, an aunt. (Courtesy Mills & Edwards, LLP via AP)

Critics of Bragg’s decision to prosecute Penny have called the move political and believe that the veteran acted in self-defense and to protect other passengers.

“If [Neely] had carried out his threats, he would have killed somebody,” Penny told Fox News Digital in June 2023.

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Another witness expressed similar concerns.

“I don’t care if I have to kill an F, I will,” Neely had allegedly ranted. “I’ll go to jail, I’ll take a bullet.”

Penny, who spoke with police voluntarily 11 days before Bragg’s office brought charges, faces up to 19 years in prison if convicted. His next court hearing is scheduled for Oct. 3.

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New York

Homes for Sale in the Bronx and Manhattan

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Homes for Sale in the Bronx and Manhattan

Bronx | 305 East 140th Street, No. 5A

A two-bedroom, one-bath, 1,981-square-foot condo with an open floor plan, bamboo and granite countertops, a den/home office, original hardwood floors and a basement storage cage. The unit is on the top floor of a five-story former factory from 1901 that has a virtual intercom, a super, shared laundry and a bike room. Tano Holmes and Victor Banks, Century 21; century21.com

Costs

Common charges: $1,456 a month

Taxes: $9,240 a year

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Pro

In-unit washer/dryers are permitted and an area near the kitchen can accommodate a laundry room or second bathroom. The ceilings reach 12 feet. The building is eco-friendly and has solar panels to reduce electricity costs.

Cons

It’s a big space to cool with window unit air-conditioning.


Manhattan | 467 Central Park West, No. 12F

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A two-bedroom, two-bath, 1,152-square-foot apartment that has a windowed kitchen with a pass-through to a breakfast bar, an open floor plan, a primary suite, a second bedroom with a walk-in closet, a windowed bath, built-ins, a decorative fireplace and wide-plank oak floors. It’s on the 12th floor of a 17-story prewar doorman building that has a live-in superintendent, a bike room, shared laundry and a waiting list for extra storage. Jed Lewin, The Agency; theagencyre.com

Costs

Common charges: $1,350 a month

Taxes: $1,098 a month

Assessment: $374 a month through January 2028, for updates to the building’s exterior

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Pros

The kitchen has two windows, a six-burner range and ample counter space. The view includes Central Park and Billionaire’s Row.

Cons

In-unit washer/dryers are not permitted.


Manhattan | 146 E 49th Street, No. 2B

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A two-bedroom, one-bath, roughly 940-square-foot apartment that has a windowed eat-in kitchen, an open living/dining area, a windowed bathroom and original hardwood floors. It’s on the second floor of a 10-story building by Emory Roth with a live-in super and shared laundry. Laura Cook and Adam Wolfe, Keller Williams NYC; kwnyc.com

Costs

Maintenance: $2,583 a month

Pros

Use as a pied-à-terre, subletting after two years of residency and an in-unit washer/dryer are permitted with board approval.

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Cons

The view consists of only nearby buildings. The second bedroom does not have a closet. The building lacks a bike room and there’s a waiting list for basement storage cages.

Given the fast pace of the current market, some properties may no longer be available at the time of publication.

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Boston, MA

Bello's continued struggles compound Boston's thin rotation

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Bello's continued struggles compound Boston's thin rotation


TORONTO — A frustrating start to the season continued on Wednesday for Brayan Bello and the Red Sox.
Although interim manager Chad Tracy planned to be aggressive with his bullpen in the series finale north of the border, Bello wasn’t able to escape the fourth inning as the Red Sox



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Pittsburg, PA

First look: Titusz in Lawrenceville honors its namesakes

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First look: Titusz in Lawrenceville honors its namesakes






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