Whoopi Goldberg expressed discomfort with Marine veteran Daniel Penny’s public celebration following his acquittal in the death of Jordan Neely. Penny had faced charges of second-degree manslaughter and criminally negligent homicide for placing Neely, a homeless subway performer, in a fatal chokehold on a New York City subway. The case highlighted complex issues surrounding mental health, public safety, and the use of force.
Penny’s defense argued that his actions were necessary to protect passengers from Neely’s reportedly erratic behavior, while the prosecution contended that Penny acted recklessly and could have deescalated the situation. After the judge dismissed the manslaughter charge, a jury found Penny not guilty of criminally negligent homicide. Following the verdict, Penny and his legal team celebrated at a bar in New York City.
Goldberg, discussing the case on The View, voiced her unease with Penny’s public celebration. “I don’t know that seeing them celebrating in a bar made me comfortable,” she said. “I mean, you killed a guy. The man is dead. Maybe you just take the celebration home. You don’t do it outside.”
She also pointed to broader systemic failures that contributed to the tragedy, citing issues with the courts, hospitals, and society’s approach to mental health. Goldberg emphasized the need for a more compassionate and effective system to prevent similar incidents.
Co-host Alyssa Farah Griffin added her perspective, stating that while she did not view Penny as a villain, the situation underscored the repeated failures of New York City to support individuals struggling with mental health. Griffin remarked, “My only criticism of Penny is: could you have not let go sooner?”
The case continues to spark debate about public safety, mental health resources, and accountability. Viewers of The View shared their own thoughts on the nuanced and polarizing discussion, as Goldberg and her co-hosts reflected on the broader implications of the incident.
