Daniel Penny Acquitted & Jay-Z Accused of Rape | 12.10.24

Summary

Morning Wire Podcast Summary Episode: Daniel Penny Acquitted & Jay-Z Accused of Rape | 12.10.24

Host/Authors: John Bickley & Georgia Howe
Release Date: December 10, 2024
Podcast Description: Morning Wire, presented by Daily Wire Editor-in-Chief John Bickley and co-host Georgia Howe, delivers daily news coverage on politics, culture, education, sports, and more, aiming to provide factual information amid declining trust in mainstream media.

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1. Daniel Penney Acquitted

Verdict and Immediate Reactions
At 00:03, Georgia Howe announced that a New York jury found Marine veteran Daniel Penney not guilty. John Bickley emphasized the profound burden Penney bore for 18 months, stating, “Most importantly, Danny's walking around with the weight of this indictment on him knowing that he's been falsely accused for doing the right thing” (00:07).

Courtroom Dynamics
Amanda Presta Giacomo introduced the segment at 01:43, detailing the jury's decision after five days of deliberation. Cabot Phillips explained that the jury took about an hour to reach a “not guilty” verdict on criminally negligent homicide (02:03). The courtroom erupted with applause from Penney’s side, where Penney notably nodded and smiled at the jury (02:03). Conversely, Neely's father, Andre Zachary, and leaders from Black Lives Matter expressed intense outrage, with Zachary shouting, “Are you trying to effing get killed?” (02:03) and Hawk Newsome making what appeared to be a threatening remark towards Penney (02:03).

Protests and Public Sentiment
Protests were a significant aspect of the trial atmosphere. Cabot Phillips described around two dozen racially focused protesters chanting inside and outside the courthouse, using phrases like “say his name, murderer” (03:19). Post-verdict, Hawk Newsome incited further tension by calling for “black vigilante violence” (03:45), leading to the escorting out of several protesters (03:45).

District Attorney’s Statement
District Attorney Alvin Bragg’s office released a statement at 04:09 respecting the jury's decision. However, this verdict marks a substantial defeat for Bragg, who had filed the charges in what many perceived as a politically motivated move following racial protests (04:09). Speculation arose about the possibility of recharging Penney with manslaughter, but legal experts like George Washington University’s Jonathan Turley noted the improbability due to double jeopardy concerns (04:48).

Ongoing Civil Litigation and Honors
Despite the acquittal, Penney faces a civil lawsuit filed by Neely's father at 05:07, accusing him of assault, battery, and negligence (05:07). Conversely, Arizona Representative Eli Crane plans to introduce a resolution to award Penney the Congressional Gold Medal for his actions in protecting subway riders (05:07).

2. Jay-Z Accused of Rape

Allegations and Lawsuit Details
At 06:19, Amanda Presta Giacomo reported that rapper Jay-Z has been added to a lawsuit initially accusing Sean "P. Diddy" Combs of raping a 13-year-old girl. Megan Basham elaborated on the case, explaining that the accuser, Jane Doe, alleges that both Combs and Jay-Z raped her at an MTV Music Awards party in October last year, where a female celebrity was also present (06:31). Doe claims she was coerced into signing a non-disclosure agreement before being drugged and assaulted (06:53).

Jay-Z’s Response
Jay-Z issued a vehement statement addressing the allegations. He termed the lawsuit a “shakedown effort” orchestrated by the accuser and her lawyer, Tony Busby (07:46). Jay-Z criticized Busby as a “deplorable ambulance chaser in a cheap suit” and labeled the initial demand letter a “blackmail attempt” intended to fraudulently extort money (07:49). He urged the filing of criminal complaints instead of civil suits, arguing that true justice would require severe punishment for any such crimes (07:49).

Legal Community and Public Reaction
Danny Savalos, NBC's legal analyst, suggested that Jay-Z’s aggressive legal maneuvers might backfire, potentially strengthening the accuser’s position (09:13). Busby responded by clarifying that the initial demand was for confidential mediation, not financial gain, and accused Jay-Z of filing a frivolous lawsuit to intimidate them (08:47). Busby also alleged that Jay-Z attempted to harass the accusers by filing a case under a pseudonym (08:47).

Ongoing Legal Proceedings for P. Diddy
The segment also touched on Combs' legal troubles, noting that he faces federal charges, including sex trafficking and racketeering, and has been denied bail multiple times (10:13). This context underscores the broader legal challenges facing both Combs and Jay-Z.

3. Arrest of Luigi Mangione for Murder of United Healthcare CEO

Circumstances of Arrest
At 10:43, Amanda Presta Giacomo introduced the story of Luigi Mangione’s arrest for the murder of Brian Thompson, CEO of United Healthcare. John Bickley detailed that Mangione was apprehended at a McDonald's in Altoona, Pennsylvania, after a vigilant employee recognized him from police-released photos (10:58). Authorities discovered a 3D-printed ghost gun, a firearm suppressor, a U.S. passport, and multiple fraudulent IDs in his possession (10:58).

Legal Proceedings and Charges
Mangione, a 26-year-old with no prior criminal history, was charged with five counts, including two felonies for forgery and carrying a firearm without a license (11:53). Initially cooperative, he has since ceased cooperation and is being held without bail pending further charges in New York, including murder (11:53).

Background and Motivation
Research by Daily Wire reporter Luke Roziak revealed Mangione’s affluent background, elite education, and recent reclusive behavior marked by concerned social media posts from friends expressing worry about his sudden disappearance (12:19). Authorities found a three-page handwritten manifesto indicating hostility towards corporate America, including statements like, “these parasites had it coming” and an apology for "%any strife and trauma, but it had to be done” (13:08). His online activities included endorsing the Unabomber’s manifesto and expressing anti-corporate sentiments, suggesting ideological motivations behind the assassination (13:08).

Public and Social Media Reactions
Mangione’s arrest has polarized public opinion. While many condemn the murder, a significant online following venerates him as a “brave martyr” against the healthcare industry, with hashtags like #Freeluigi trending across platforms (13:53). Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro highlighted the dangers of vigilante justice, stating, “Less safe when ideologues engage in vigilante justice” (14:39). Megan Basham reinforced this stance, emphasizing that the true hero is the individual who alerted authorities, not Mangione himself (14:55).

Future Proceedings and Public Concerns
Authorities plan to extradite Mangione to New York for additional charges, and the NYPD will collaborate with Pennsylvania police to finalize their investigation (13:53). The case continues to develop as the public and legal systems respond to both the crime and the subsequent social media reactions.

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Conclusion

In this episode of Morning Wire, John Bickley and Georgia Howe navigated two high-profile legal cases and a significant criminal arrest. The acquittal of Daniel Penney underscores the complexities of the justice system and the deep societal divisions surrounding it. Simultaneously, the allegations against Jay-Z highlight ongoing issues of sexual misconduct and the contentious legal battles that ensue. Lastly, the arrest of Luigi Mangione for the murder of a high-profile CEO brings to light the dangers of extremist ideologies and their impact on society. This episode provides listeners with a comprehensive overview of these critical events, enriched with firsthand quotes and expert analysis to facilitate a deeper understanding of each situation.

Transcript

[Georgia Howe]

A New York jury has found Marine veteran Daniel Penney not guilty.

[John Bickley]

It's 18 months of weight on everybody's shoulders. Most importantly, Danny's walking around with the weight of this indictment on him knowing that he's been falsely accused for doing the right thing.

[Amanda Presta Giacomo]

We break down reactions both inside and outside the courtroom.

[Georgia Howe]

I'm Georgia Howe with Daily Wire Editor in Chief John Bickley. It's Tuesday, December 10th, and this is Morning Wire. A lawsuit accusing P. Diddy of raping a 13 year old girl has been amended to include rapper Jay Z. Now the hip hop mogul is speaking out.

[Amanda Presta Giacomo]

And a suspect has been arrested and charged in the murder of United Healthcare's CEO.

[Cabot Phillips]

The suspect was in a McDonald's and.

[Brandon]

Was recognized by an employee who then.

[Cabot Phillips]

Called local police and was carrying multiple fraudulent IDs as well as a U.S. passport.

[Georgia Howe]

Thanks for waking up with Morning Wire. Stay tuned. We have we have the news you need to know.

[Brandon]

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[Georgia Howe]

A Manhattan jury on Monday found 26 year old Marine veteran Daniel Penney not guilty in the death of Jordan Neely.

[Amanda Presta Giacomo]

Here to discuss is Daily Wire reporter Amanda Presta Giacomo. Hey Amanda. So we finally have a verdict in this case. It took five days of deliberations. Tell us about the acquittal and the reaction inside the courtroom.

[Cabot Phillips]

Right. So the jury deliberated for about an hour on Monday before they rendered a not guilty verdict on the charge of criminally negligent homicide. As we covered yesterday, Judge Maxwell Wiley rather controversially agreed with the prosecution's request to dismiss the state's top charge of manslaughter, too, that carried up to 15 years behind bars. When the verdict was read yesterday, applause erupted on Penny's side. Penney, who showed very little emotion throughout the trial, reportedly locked eyes with members of the jury and nodded to them with a smile on face. A lot of relief on that side, especially from Penny's attorneys. Now others in the courtroom, though, audibly sobbed and yelled threats over the not guilty verdict. Neely's father, Andre Zachary, glared at someone who applauded the verdict and said, quote, are you trying to effing get killed? And Hawk Newsome, a co founder of Black Lives Matter Greater New York, he said while looking at Penny, it's a small world, buddy. Seemingly threatening him. Neely's father and several Black Lives Matter leaders were escorted out of the courtroom after their outbursts.

[Amanda Presta Giacomo]

Some disturbing behavior there. Now, throughout the trial, there were protesters outside the courthouse, and yesterday was no exception. They were there at the start of the day and made waves after the verdict was rendered. Tell us about that.

[Cabot Phillips]

Right. There were about two dozen or so racially focused protesters outside the courthouse on Monday, and they chanted things like, say his name, murderer and subway strangler, which were reportedly audible inside the courtroom. So, you know, potentially the jury heard that. But things became even more volatile after the verdict was rendered. Hawk Newsome, who led daily protests outside the courthouse, urged for what he called black vigilante violence.

[John Bickley]

People want to jump up and choke us and kill us for being loud. How about we do the same when they attempt to oppress us?

[Cabot Phillips]

Newsom said last week that anyone who believes Penny is innocent is a racist.

[Amanda Presta Giacomo]

Alarming rhetoric to say the least. And what have we heard from the man who brought these charges against Penny? District Attorney Alvin Bragg.

[Cabot Phillips]

His office put out a statement saying that they deeply respected the jury process and respected this verdict. There's no denying, though, that this was a big defeat for Bragg. Remember, the Democrat DA filed these charges ten days after the incident, seemingly in response to racial protests. A lot of people saw the indictment as a political movement. I'll also note that there was some chatter about the possibility of Bragg charging Penny with manslaughter again since that charge was dismissed last week. But that does seem highly unlikely. George Washington University law professor Jonathan Turley said that there's a double jeopardy claim there that could be raised. And he also said that it just wouldn't be practical for Bragg.

[Amanda Presta Giacomo]

I don't see how Bragg can do this. I mean, he just had a jury say, we didn't think he was even guilty of blameworthy conduct. And you're going to bring a higher charge against him?

[John Bickley]

I mean, it would be. It would be absurd.

[Amanda Presta Giacomo]

And wrapping up here, Penny is still facing a civil lawsuit from Neely's father. What do we know about that?

[Cabot Phillips]

Right. Zachary filed a civil lawsuit at the New York Supreme Court last Wednesday. He has accused Penny of assault, battery, and causing his son's death through negligence, carelessness, and recklessness the suit doesn't specify a specific amount of money. Now, on the flip side of that, Arizona Representative Eli Crane is planning to introduce a resolution that would give Pen the congressional gold Medal for his actions on the subway protecting fellow riders.

[Amanda Presta Giacomo]

Well, he's officially acquitted here. Amanda, thanks for reporting.

[Cabot Phillips]

You're welcome.

[Megan Basham]

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[Amanda Presta Giacomo]

Rapper Jay Z is now facing allegations of raping a 13 year old girl that stemmed from a civil lawsuit against Sean P. Diddy Combs. Both hip hop moguls are calling the suit a blackmail attempt.

[Georgia Howe]

Here with more on these allegations is Daily Wire culture reporter Megan Basham. So, Megan, the P. Diddy accuser claimed that he, along with another male celebrity, both raped her when she was 13 at an MTV Music Awards party that was this past October. That came out. She also claims there was a female celebrity watching. What is she now saying?

[Danny Savalos]

Well, on Sunday, Jane Doe amended that October suit to now name Jay Z as that other alleged assailant. So just to give you a little bit of background for those who have not been following, the suit says that Doe tried to get into the MTV Music Awards without a ticket. And while attempting to do that, she met Combs limo driver who then took her to an after party. She says she was asked to sign an NDA but wasn't given a copy of that document. Well, once she was inside, she says she accepted a drink from a waitress circulating in the crowd and then began to feel, quoting here, woozy and lightheaded after just a few sips. And she says at that point she found a room to lie down in. And that's when Combs, Carter and the female celebrity who isn't named in the suit found her. She says that Jay Z first held her down and raped her, followed by Combs, while this unnamed woman looked on.

[Georgia Howe]

Now, what has Jay Z's response been?

[Danny Savalos]

Well, he issued a blistering statement on Sunday saying that this is a shakedown effort on the part of the accuser and her lawyer, Tony Busby, who is representing several of the roughly 30 plaintiffs now suing Combs. In the statement, Jay Z calls Busby a deplorable ambulance chaser in a cheap suit. And he called a demand letter that Busby and his client initially sent a blackmail attempt. Instead, Jay Z says this prompted him to expose them as frauds. Reading just a bit here from his statement, these allegations are so heinous in nature that I implore you to file a criminal complaint, not a civil one. Whomever would commit such a crime against a minor should be locked away. Would you not agree these alleged victims would deserve real justice if that were the case? Now, Busby issued a response on Monday saying that his and his client's initial demand letter only asked for confidential mediation, not money. And he also said that they will litigate the facts in court, not in the media. But another wrinkle revealed in Busby's statement is that sometime between the initial October lawsuit and its amendment that names Jay Z, Jay Z filed what Busby called a frivolous case against him and Jane Doe under a pseudonym. And Busby says that Jay Z did this to try to bul and harass them.

[Georgia Howe]

So why would Jay Z feel the need to file a suit against Busby prior to being named?

[Danny Savalos]

Well, according to Busby, he had reached out to Jay Z on behalf of Jane Doe about arranging a meeting for remediation, although, again, he states, his client has never asked for money. And just a side note, people on social media were pretty quick to point out that Jay Z's statement did not actually include a direct denial of the crime. It was what you might call more of a scathing rebuke of the lawyer Busby. Some interesting Insight, though, from NBC's legal analyst, Danny Savalos. He pointed out that Jay Z's attempts to preemptively quash this may have actually had the opposite effect. And that goes along with something else that Busby said in his statement Monday, and that was that his client was actually emboldened by Jay Z suit.

[Georgia Howe]

Now, still no leads about who that female celebrity is?

[Danny Savalos]

No, but the pressure is definitely building and certainly a lot of speculation online circulating, but nothing concrete.

[Georgia Howe]

Has Combs commented?

[Danny Savalos]

He has, and he continues to deny all the allegations. But it's worth noting that Combs is not just being sued in civil court. He is also facing federal criminal charges that include sex trafficking and racketeering. And he's been in a Brooklyn detention center since mid September awaiting trial. On May 5 last month, he was denied bail for the third time.

[Georgia Howe]

Hopefully, the truth will come out.

[Danny Savalos]

Yep.

[Georgia Howe]

Megan, thanks for reporting.

[Danny Savalos]

Anytime.

[Amanda Presta Giacomo]

A man has been arrested and charged in the murder of United Healthcare CEO Brian Thompson.

[Georgia Howe]

Here with the latest is Daily Wire senior editor Cabot Phillips. So, Cabot, a nationwide manhunt seemingly coming to a close. What can you tell us?

[John Bickley]

Yeah, On Monday, a McDonald's employee in Altoona, Pennsylvania, saw a man eating in the restaurant who resembled photos of the suspected shooter that had been released by authorities. That employee called in the tip and when police arrived, they found Luigi Mangione. The 26 year old was reportedly acting suspiciously. And when police searched his belongings, they found what authorities referred to as a so called ghost gun, which they now say was 3D printed. Those guns were typically more difficult to trace or tie to past crimes. Police also found a firearm suppressor similar to the one seen in security footage of the crime, along with a US passport and multiple fake IDs, one of which reportedly matched an ID he used to check into a hostel in New York City the night before the assassination. Given all of that information, police appear confident this is their guy. By Monday night, he'd been transferred to the Pennsylvania State Correctional Institution in Huntingdon, where he's being held without bail. He made his first court appearance last night and was officially charged with five counts, including two felonies for forgery and carrying a firearm without a license. And according to police, Mangione is no longer cooperating. He was initially cooperative. He is not now. And so he has been arraigned and transported and will be securely housed pending the filing of additional charges in New York. And late last night, Manhattan prosecutors filed a number of their own charges against Mangione, including murder.

[Georgia Howe]

What do we know about Mangione's background?

[John Bickley]

Well, up until this point, he had no criminal history. According to Daily Wire reporter Luke Roziak, Mangione came from a wealthy family in Maryland, attending an elite private school outside Baltimore, where he graduated as valedictorian. Mangione went on to the University of Pennsylvania, earning undergraduate and graduate degrees in computer science. In recent years, he lived in Hawaii and spent time in Japan and Puerto Rico. Though it does appear he sort of fell off the map in recent months. A number of social media posts throughout the fall show friends expressing concern for him publicly, with one on X saying, quote, hey man, I haven't heard from you in months. You made commitments to me for my wedding. If you can't honor them, I need to know so I can plan Accordingly. Now, police say they will be looking to piece together a timeline of his activity over the last few months leading up to the assassination.

[Georgia Howe]

Do we know why he did this?

[John Bickley]

So the NYPD says Mangione was in possession of a three page handwritten manifesto that reportedly expressed, quote, ill will toward corporate America. While we haven't yet seen the full manifesto, CNN reports that it included the lines, quote, these parasites had it coming, and quote, I do apologize for any strife and trauma, but it had to be done. That matches much of what the shooter posted over the years online. For example, an account appearing to belong to Mangione left a glowing book review for the Unabomber's manifesto. He shared a quote in that review that read, quote, these companies don't care about you or your kids. They have zero qualms about burning down the planet for a buck. So why should we have any qualms about burning them down? To survive.

[Georgia Howe]

So now what's going to happen with Mangione?

[John Bickley]

Well, the NYPD says they'll work with police in Pennsylvania to eventually extradite him to New York, where he'll face those additional charges, including murder. Police in Pennsylvania said they'll also send evidence they collect during their investigation up to New York. While a large chunk of the country was obviously horrified by the murder, it's undeniable that for many others, he's taken on a sort of cult hero status. Mangione's Instagram account, for example, was flooded with thousands and thousands of supportive messages praising him, calling him a brave martyr for taking on the healthcare industry. And on multiple social media platforms, including X and TikTok, all day long yesterday, the hashtag Freeluigi was trending. Here's Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro responding to the support from Angioni.

[Amanda Presta Giacomo]

In a civil society, we are all.

[Megan Basham]

Less safe when ideologues engage in vigilante justice. In some dark corners, this killer is.

[Amanda Presta Giacomo]

Being hailed as a hero.

[Megan Basham]

Hear me on this. He is no hero.

[Amanda Presta Giacomo]

The real hero in this story is.

[Megan Basham]

The person who called 911 at McDonald's this morning.

[John Bickley]

So we'll keep a close eye on how this looming trial plays out and how the American people respond.

[Georgia Howe]

Well, hopefully he doesn't inspire copycats.

[John Bickley]

Right?

[Georgia Howe]

Cabot, thanks for reporting.

[John Bickley]

Anytime.

[Amanda Presta Giacomo]

Thanks for waking up with us. We'll be back this afternoon with more news. You need to know.