Mayor calls for systemic change to address mental health crisis
New York City Mayor Eric Adams expressed support for Daniel Penny, the former Marine on trial for manslaughter after a fatal chokehold incident on the subway. Speaking on the Rob Astorino Show, Adams emphasized the fear passengers experienced during the encounter with Jordan Neely, 30, who had a history of mental illness and criminal charges.
Adams commends Penny’s actions
Adams defended Penny’s response, saying, “Those passengers were afraid. He acted in a situation where someone was threatening harm.” The mayor criticized the portrayal of Neely as a harmless Michael Jackson impersonator, arguing it skewed public perception of the case.
Penny, 26, restrained Neely on the subway in May 2023 after Neely made threats to passengers. Video footage shows Penny holding Neely in a chokehold, with passengers urging Penny to let go as Neely eventually went limp. Penny now faces manslaughter and criminally negligent homicide charges, with a potential sentence of up to 19 years if convicted.
Broader issues highlighted
Adams also used the case to spotlight systemic failures in New York City’s mental health system. “This is a complete failure of our mental health system,” Adams said. He criticized the lack of long-term care for individuals with mental health issues, describing it as a “revolving door” that failed to address underlying problems.
The mayor noted that New York’s approach of briefly hospitalizing individuals before releasing them without proper support contributed to situations like Neely’s.
Struggles beyond the trial
Adams, who is also dealing with the fallout from his federal indictment, has recently faced criticism over the city’s handling of its migrant crisis. He revealed that the crisis has cost New York City $6.4 billion, forcing him to request $4.6 billion in state funding earlier this year.
In an effort to manage the influx of migrants, Adams traveled to Latin America to discourage migration to the city, saying that those arriving would not receive a “five-star hotel” experience.
Adams open to working with Trump nominee
In a surprising statement, Adams said he would work with President-Elect Donald Trump’s proposed border czar, Tom Homan, to deport criminal migrants. “Those committing crimes—robberies, shootings, rapes—are a harm to our country,” Adams said, signaling his willingness to address the issue in a bipartisan manner.
As Penny’s jury deliberates, the trial remains a flashpoint in debates over public safety, mental health, and systemic reform in New York City.
