“Lives were threatened by this violent and deranged individual”: Phil Mickelson praises Daniel Penny as the former marine faces trial
US golfer Phil Mickelson recently reshared a post praising former Marine Daniel Penny as he faces trial for negligent homicide. Mickelson praised Penny for "serving" his country and "protecting" the passengers.
In May 2023, Jordan Neely, a homeless man, allegedly started threatening passengers on a New York subway when Penny approached him from behind and put him in a chokehold. Two other men reportedly helped him keep Neely down. The latter was transported to a hospital where he was pronounced dead.
According to reports, a few days after the incident, the cause of his death was reported as a homicide caused by compression of the neck. Daniel Penny was reportedly charged with second-degree manslaughter and negligent homicide, with him pleading not guilty to both. In June of that year, a grand jury officially indicted him. He was is trial in Manhattan, New York.
On Friday this week, the judge dismissed the second-degree homicide charge against him. The two other men who helped Penny were not charged.
Phil Mickelson appreciated the former Marine for "protecting" the passengers whose "lives were threatened" by Jordan Neely. Lefty reshared a post from political commentator Collin Rugg on X saying:
"Agree. Thank you Daniel for serving your country and for protecting the many passengers whose lives were threatened by this violent and deranged individual."
The case had opened up widespread debate with many people either criticizing or supporting Daniel Penny's actions. The jury in Penny's trial will continue deliberating on the negligent homicide charge against him on Monday, after taking a weekend break.
"I feel it never got personal until they started talking golf handicaps," - When Phil Mickelson opined on the Donald Trump vs Joe Biden debate
In June this year, then US President candidates Donald Trump and Joe Biden had a Presidential debate. The highlight of it was the two of them arguing over their golfing skills.
Trump is known for his love for the sport and he had used the opportunity to not only flex about his own skills but also take a dig at Biden. He said (via Express)
"He doesn't do it. He can't hit a ball 50 yards. He challenged me to a golf match, he can't hit a ball 50 yards,"
Biden had immediately retorted saying he had a handicap of six. He further added:
"And by the way, I told you before, I'm happy to play golf if you carry your own bag. Think you can do it?"
Trump couldn't believe Biden's handicap level and after a few exchanges the latter clarified that his handicap was eight. The clash of golfing clubs in the Presidential debate garnered a lot of attention. US golfer Phil Mickelson had an amusing response to the entire episode.
"After watching the debate last night. I feel it never got personal until they started talking golf handicaps and who hits the longest drives. As a golfer, I get it," he said on X.
Eventually, Joe Biden bowed out of the Presidential election with his former Vice-President Kamala Harris replacing him as the candidate. However, Donald Trump went on to win his second term as US President this year.