Attorney Thomas Kenniff, who represents Marine veteran Daniel Penny, told NewsNation on Wednesday that a Manhattan jury will not “right the racial wrong” despite recently refusing to dismiss the case. He explained his reasons for being optimistic.
Kenniff appeared on 'Cuomo' to discuss pennies In May 2023, he was charged and filed a criminal complaint in connection with the death of Jordan Neely. NewsNation host Chris Cuomo asked the lawyers about “how much we might have to wrestle with race” in terms of the optics of the case. (Related article: Daniel Penny pleads not guilty)
“How much of this I don't think is true, but do we even have to fight about racial issues? People will say, 'Every time a black person does something bad, the police do what they want to do. You can't do everything. Everybody can do whatever they want.'' Here's a white guy who choked someone to death, and he's going to get off now. “How concerned are you because it's not about law and justice, it's about optics and politics?'' Cuomo asked.
Mr. Kenniff pushed back on the question, saying that people would want to “politicize” the case, but that it was up to a Manhattan jury to decide. The lawyer detailed his “love” for Manhattan jurors and stressed that “they don't go there to inscribe racial injustice.” (Related article: 'Justice should be colorblind': Leo Terrell blows gasket of Marine veteran charged in deadly subway crash)
“Look, look. As we've seen in this case, as we see every day, if someone wants to politicize something, they'll politicize it. If they want to make something a racial issue, they will do it,” Kenniff said.
“This case will be tried by a jury, a Manhattan jury. I've tried many cases in my career, the vast majority of which have gone to Manhattan juries. I love Manhattan juries: they're intentional, they're educated, they understand the concept of reasonable doubt, and they don't go into trials to write racial mistakes. ”
“It's, you know, to the Al Sharptons of the world, it's to the lunatics outside the courtroom. In my opinion, it has nothing to do with what's going on in the courtroom. . [The] “The jury will follow the law in this case, and the reality is the law is no longer on our client's side,” Kenniff said.
Kenniff's motion to dismiss the case was denied by New York Judge Maxwell Wiley on Wednesday, sending the case to trial. according to On Fox News. penny According to an unidentified witness, Neely was allegedly behaving erratically on the subway in New York City, and was reportedly holding the other man in a chokehold during the dispute. .
In response to the alleged incident, the Manhattan District Attorney's Office marine The veteran was charged with manslaughter in May 2023, and was formally indicted on June 14, 2023.
Penny has since pleaded not guilty and is scheduled to appear in court again on March 20, Fox reported.
