After the violent death of a homeless black street performer in New York, a white ex-soldier turned himself in to authorities. The man was charged with manslaughter and has been released on bail, according to consistent reports. The sum should amount to 100,000 dollars, about 92,000 euros.
The suspect held 30-year-old Jordan Neely in a chokehold on a subway train in early May until he passed out. Neely was pronounced dead at the hospital. A video documents the crime. Accordingly, the accused is said to have held the stranglehold for 2 minutes and 55 seconds. According to a witness, the ex-soldier said he didn’t care if he spent his life in prison. According to the current status of the indictment, he faces up to 15 years in prison.
The death of Neely – who was known to some people on Broadway as a Michael Jackson impersonator – had caused outrage: according to witnesses, the victim had complained loudly about being hungry and thirsty on the train before the incident, but apparently did not physically attack anyone . In the discussion afterwards, parallels were drawn with the violent death of African American George Floyd in 2020, who was killed by a white police officer. However, according to CNN, the legal team of the now accused ex-marine member claimed that his client risked his life to protect other people.