(Robert Jonathan, Headline USA) The New York Police Department has reportedly arrested the uncle of Jordan Neely in connection with alleged purse thefts from restaurants.
In a New York Post interview last Sunday, Christopher Neely, 44, implied that he wanted the book thrown at decorated U.S. Marine veteran Daniel Penny, who stands accused of second-degree manslaughter in the chokehold death of his nephew.
Prior to the incident, Jordan Neely, who was homeless and had an extensive history of criminal acts of violence, appeared to be having a mental breakdown on the subway and told his captive audience that he was “prepared to die.”
Just a day or so after his Post interview was published, it appeared that Christopher Neely could himself be facing legal proceedings.
“He needs to be prosecuted or he will do it again,” Christopher told the Post in the exclusive interview. “It’s a smack in the face for Jordan’s family and the people of New York.”
Neely also expressed opposition to any plea deal for the subway hero. “I want this to go to trial. [Penny] has too much confidence in himself and has to be taught what he did was wrong.”
Neely has emerged “as something of a representative for the grieving family in the aftermath of his 30-year-old nephew’s May 1 death,” the Post noted.
He also called for the prosecution of the two men who helped Penny hold down his nephew during the subway train incident. “They have to be held accountable,” he said. “The Penny, the nickel and the dime should all be charged.”
According to the Post, an officer on the NYPD pickpocket team spotted Christopher Neely near the Port Authority bus terminal in Manhattan late Monday evening.
He reportedly fled from cops and then scuffled with them before he was taken into custody, police sources told the Post.
The NYPD charged him with criminal possession of stolen property, resisting arrest, bail jumping and unlawful possession of a weapon, according to the news outlet.
Police sources told the Post that Neely was allegedly wanted in connection with a “pattern” of grand larceny.
At the time Neely was busted, the New York Daily News claimed that he allegedly had credit and debit cards belonging to other people “with at least one of the cards belonging to a Midtown victim.”
According to the Daily Mail, Christopher Neely has a rap sheet.
He “has an extensive criminal record with over 70 prior arrests, and had two active warrants for his arrest at the time of his apprehension Monday.”
Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg—the same George Soros-backed prosecutor who recently brought charges against former President Donald Trump—filed the manslaughter charge against Penny, 24, after the medical examiner ruled Jordan Neely’s death a homicide.
Bragg has six months to obtain an indictment against Penny from a grand jury.
After his arraignment, Penny was released on $100,000 bail and is due back in court on July 17.
According to the Post, “It was not clear when [Neely] would be arraigned.”
As with any criminal defendant, the presumption of innocence applies.
