TARNISHED: DeSantis helps fundraiser for vigilante Marine who killed Jordan Neely

TARNISHED: DeSantis helps fundraiser for vigilante Marine who killed Jordan Neely

A former U.S. Marine who put a mentally disturbed Black man in a fatal chokehold on the New York City subway is being hailed as a “Good Samaritan” by Florida Governor Ron DeSantis.

Daniel Penny, who is white, was arraigned and criminally charged on Friday with second-degree manslaughter in the death of Jordan Neely.

Penny didn’t enter a plea and was released after posting the $100,000 bail set by the judge. The felony charge carries a maximum sentence of 15 years in prison.

The former Marine was also ordered to surrender his passport within 48 hours of arraignment and not to leave the state of New York.

“After an evaluation of the available facts and evidence, the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office determined there was probable cause to arrest Daniel Penny and arraign him on felony charges,” District Attorney Alvin Bragg said in a press statement.

“Jordan Neely should still be alive today, and my thoughts continue to be with his family and loved ones as they mourn his loss during this extremely painful time.”

While Penny awaits his next court appearance on July 17th, he’s got friends in high places to help him pay for his legal bills.

Ultra Florida Man Ron DeSantis, himself a former Navy JAG(off), called Penny a “Good Samaritan” in a tweet promoting a fundraiser set up on GiveSendGo, aka the MAGA GoFundMe.

It’s the same site that raised funds for Kyle Rittenhouse as well as a bunch of January 6th defendants, so that tells you exactly where Penny’s politics lean.

“We must defeat the Soros-Funded DAs, stop the Left’s pro-criminal agenda, and take back the streets for law abiding citizens,” DeathSantis tweeted on Friday.

“We stand with Good Samaritans like Daniel Penny. Let’s show this Marine… America’s got his back.”

First of all: GEORGE SOROS ISN’T FUNDING ANYONE, YOU ANTISEMITIC FLORIDA FASCIST. I know my all-caps won’t stop him, but it’s just ridiculous.

But more importantly, MAGA Vigilantism isn’t the law of the land just yet, Governor Gitmo.

We’re not supposed to kill mentally disturbed homeless people (or anyone else) because they’re disrupting the sanctity of our subway rides.

New York’s mistreatment of the homeless is just part of the reason protests have erupted since Neely’s death on May 1st.

The most pointed complaints were at the Manhattan DA’s office for not bringing charges against Penny sooner.

Neely had been walking through the cars begging for money, as is a common occurrence on the New York City subway.

Penny was riding the same subway car when Neely began shouting that he was hungry and thirsty.

The much larger man approached Neely from behind (SO BRAVE) and placed him in a chokehold, keeping him there for several minutes.

Two additional passengers helped Penny by restraining Neely’s arms, according to witness statements:

“Several witnesses observed Mr. Neely making threats and scaring passengers,” Assistant District Attorney Joshua Steinglass said reading from the bail application read in court Friday.

Twitter took the tiny Tallahassee tyrant to task for treating Neely like a hero instead of a murderer.

*THIS IS AN OPINION COLUMN THAT SOLELY REPRESENTS THE OPINIONS OF TARA DUBLIN. HOORAY FOR THE FREE PRESS!*

Other hot takes by Tara Dublin can be found on TikTok and Twitter @taradublinrocks.

Tara Dublin

Tara Dublin is a woefully unrepresented writer who thinks more people would read her cool rock & roll love story inspired by Dave Grohl than any ghostwritten GOP crapbook, agents & publishers. Follow Tara on Twitter @taradublinrocks