Ron DeSantis has warned that “we can’t have inmates running the asylum” after he again defended Daniel Penny for putting Jordan Neely in a chokehold after he threatened passengers on a New York City subway.
The 24-year-old Marine has been charged with second degree manslaughter for the death of mentally ill Neely, 30, on May 1 after witnesses reported Neely shouting, screaming and threatening to ‘kill a motherf****r’ when Penny put him in a chokehold.
Video shows bystanders telling Penny he risked ‘killing him’, but the Marine continued to hold onto him.
Florida Governor DeSantis is among several Republicans to defend Penny and demand that the charges to be dropped.
Speaking at a bill signing ceremony at the Coastal Community Church at Lighthouse Point, Florida, he insisted: “As a vet, vets look out for other vets. What we can’t have in our society is inmates running the asylum.
READ MORE: Marine who chocked out man on subway bags $2 million from fans
“What you saw on the subway was a guy that was very dangerous putting people in harm’s way, he was boasting that he may do harm.
“To be able to step in as a Good Samaritan and protect people, it’s the right thing to do.
“I don’t think he should be prosecuted. You have a prosecutor there that sides with the criminal element over law-abiding citizens.
“And when people have the temerity to fight back against the criminal element, he goes after them.”
A GiveSendGo account set up for Penny has now raised almost $2.5million.
“Hopefully with all the money raised he’s going to be able to beat this case,” said DeSantis, who was deployed to Iraq as a JAG officer in 2007 to offer legal advice to commanders.
“I hope the charges are dropped but if they’re not, I think he’s going to be able to win in the end.”
Among those to have donated to the fun are Kid Rock ($5,000) and GOP hopeful Vivek Ramaswamy ($10,000). The Daily Mail reports that DeSantis’ name does not appear in the list of top donors to Penny’s defense fund.
In a tweet over the weekend, however, he threw his weight behind him.
“We must defeat the Soros-Funded DAs, stop the Left’s pro-criminal agenda, and take back the streets for law abiding citizens.
“We stand with Good Samaritans like Daniel Penny. Let’s show this Marine America’s got his back,” he said.
Penny’s attorneys say that they were ‘blindsided’ by the charges, which carry a maximum of 15 years in prison. Penny was arraigned last week and has surrendered his passport.
