Democratic Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (New York) said Friday (May 19) that Florida Republican Governor Ron DeSantis “should read a Bible” following his defense of Daniel Penny, a 24-year-old Marine veteran who caused is facing a manslaughter charge because of the death of Jordan Neely by suffocation.
On May 1, Neely, 30, a homeless street performer who police described as acting “hostile” and “erratic” on the F train, was restrained by Penny and two others.
As a result of the chokehold, Newly died, sparking city-wide protests against his death.
According to the New York Times, Penny was charged with wrongful death and later collected more than $2.6 million for his legal defense.
In a statement, the New York Police Department described how the N.Y.P.D. collected and investigated the evidence and interviewed several witnesses at the scene, and immediately began seeking additional witnesses to obtain a “complete picture of the facts.”
According to reporting by the New York Post, earlier in the week, DeSantis called Penny a “Good Samaritan” for the former veteran’s actions to protect others on the train.
“Vets look out for other vets,” DeSantis, also a veteran, said.
He added that society couldn’t have “inmates running the asylum.’
The New York Post report also claimed DeSantis praised Penny for” doing the right thing” on the train after other passengers told police they felt threatened by Neely’s behavior.
However, Ocasio-Cortez, who attended Neely’s funeral, spoke to reporters after the funeral on Friday (May 19) and suggested DeSantis should “read a Bible” to understand the parable of the Good Samaritan.
