Jordan Neely's family say New Yorkers should offer to help erratic homeless ... trends now
Jordan Neely's family attorneys today told New Yorkers they should not shy away from erratic, homeless people on the subway even if they're behaving threateningly, and instead say: 'Sir, let me help you.'
Neely was homeless, schizophrenic and had a record of 40 arrests that included punching a 67-year-old woman in the face.
On May 1, he was screaming that he wanted to 'kill a motherf****r' to get a ticket to jail where he'd receive meals.
Daniel Penny, a 24-year-old Marine veteran, stepped in and put him in a chokehold. Neely died at the scene.
Attorney Donte Mills says New Yorkers should offer help to homeless people on the subway if they feel scared and ask why they're acting out
Jordan Neely's aunt Mildred and his father Zachary at a press conference today as Daniel Penny was charged with second degree manslaughteR
Penny on his way to Manhattan Criminal Court today after being charged with manslaughter
Penny will today be arraigned on second degree manslaughter charges. The case has proved a lightning rod of debate and discussion over whether Penny did the right thing in a city where the subway is a breeding ground of violence and crime
At a press conference, Neely's family - who say they saw him intermittently before his death - suggested through their attorneys Donte Mills and Lennon Edwards that the frightened passengers should have offered him help.
'No one on that train asked Jordan, "what's wrong? How can I help you."
'He was choked to death instead.
'And for anyone saying they get scared on a train and aren't sure how they would have reacted... ask how you can help. Please. Don't attack, don't choke, don't kill.
'No one said: here sir, let me meet your need.'
'We disagree with the manslaughter charge. We think it should be murder.'
The family said Jordan 'had a home
