Summary of "Ben Reacts: Daniel Penny Verdict" from The Ben Shapiro Show
Podcast Information:
- Title: The Ben Shapiro Show
- Host/Author: The Daily Wire
- Episode: Ben Reacts: Daniel Penny Verdict
- Release Date: December 9, 2024
1. Introduction to the Verdict
Ben Shapiro opens the episode by announcing the verdict in the Daniel Penny trial:
"Daniel Penny has now been found not guilty by the jury in Manhattan in the so-called chokehold death of Jordan Neely. So you remember the video... he has been acquitted. Thank God the jury did the right thing."
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He briefly mentions the acquittal, setting the stage for a detailed analysis of the case.
2. Recap of the Incident
Ben provides a comprehensive overview of the events leading to the trial:
- The Confrontation: Daniel Penny, a Marine veteran, intervened to restrain Jordan Neely, a mentally ill and drug-addled homeless man who was threatening fellow subway passengers on New York City's subway system. Penny employed a submission hold intended to neutralize Neely’s aggressive behavior without causing harm.
"Blade cut his hold until law enforcement arrived. It was not to kill him... There was no deprivation of air to his lungs."
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- Purpose of the Hold: The primary goal was to protect other passengers from Neely's physical and verbal threats. Ben emphasizes that Penny's intent was not lethal but defensive.
"He was trying to de-escalate the situation and didn't mean to hurt Neely."
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3. Legal Arguments and Evidence
Defense's Position:
- Justification of Actions: Defense attorneys argued that Penny acted in self-defense and in defense of others, portraying his actions as necessary to prevent further aggression from Neely.
"The lawyers had questioned whether there was sufficient evidence that the chokehold actually caused the death as opposed to him being high as a kite, as opposed to his prior health issues and all of the rest."
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- Medical Testimony: Dr. Satish Chundru, the defense's medical expert, testified that Neely's death resulted from a combination of factors, including a sickle cell crisis, schizophrenia, synthetic marijuana, and the struggle during restraint, rather than solely from the chokehold.
"Neely died not from the chokehold, but from the combined effects of sickle cell crisis, the schizophrenia, the struggle and restraint, and the synthetic marijuana."
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Prosecution's Arguments:
- Excessive Force: Prosecutors posited that Penny's continued restraint constituted excessive force, leading to Neely's death. However, they struggled to link the chokehold directly to the fatality.
"Prosecutors argued that his activity, Daniel Penney's, went too far because he kept Neely in a hold."
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4. Jury Deliberations and Verdict
- Charges and Verdict: The jury acquitted Penny of criminal negligent homicide, a charge that could have resulted in up to four years in prison. However, they could not reach a unanimous decision on the manslaughter charge, leading to its dismissal.
"Manslaughter was tossed on Friday after jurors said they could not reach unanimous verdict on that particular matter."
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- Judge's Intervention: Ben criticizes the judge's decision to dismiss the manslaughter charge, arguing it violated the original verdict guidelines.
"The judge dismissed count one in order to allow the jury to consider count two, the criminally negligent homicide. And the standard for criminally negligent homicide is carelessness."
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5. Racial and Societal Implications
Ben delves into the underlying racial dynamics of the trial:
- Implicit Racial Bias: He asserts that the prosecution's case was influenced by racial bias, suggesting that Penny's actions were scrutinized more heavily because Neely was Black.
"The very basis of the trial was the unspoken assumption that it had something to do with race... There is no evidence whatsoever that Daniel Penney behaved the way he did because Jordan Neely was black."
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- Comparison to Other Cases: Ben draws parallels to the Derek Chauvin and George Floyd case, highlighting similarities in how racial narratives are constructed without substantive evidence.
"With Derek Chauvin and George Floyd, we had an entire racial reckoning based on George Floyd, despite the fact that not a single iota of evidence was ever presented..."
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6. Commentary on the Legal System and Activism
Ben offers a critical perspective on the legal system and activist influence:
- Critique of Prosecutors: He labels the prosecutor as a "far left Soros prosecutor," criticizing their motivations and past actions in similar cases.
"The prosecutor... has in the past attempted to let criminals off the hook based on their sad sack life stories."
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- Rejection of Lawlessness: Ben emphasizes that the verdict signifies a rejection of lawlessness and the misconception that activism justifies criminal behavior.
"The American people are done with that. And I think that this is one element of that."
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7. Implications for Future Bystander Intervention
- Encouraging Civic Responsibility: Ben underscores the importance of bystanders like Penny who take action to protect others, contrasting this with the current climate where such actions are often criminalized.
"We need more people like Daniel Penny who step in when bad things happen, who has the courage to step up..."
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- Call for Systemic Change: He advocates for a shift in societal attitudes, urging support for individuals who intervene in dangerous situations rather than penalizing them.
"The entire system of thinking about this has to change. I'm hopeful that this is the beginning of that."
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8. Conclusion and Forward Look
Ben concludes the episode by expressing gratitude for the jury's decision and optimism for future societal changes:
"Thanks to the jury, thank God, very, very happy today that Daniel Penny was acquitted in this trial."
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He hints at further discussions on the topic in upcoming episodes, reinforcing the episode's themes of justice, civic duty, and societal transformation.
Notable Quotes:
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On the Verdict:
"Daniel Penny has now been found not guilty... Thank God the jury did the right thing."
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On Racial Bias:
"There is no evidence whatsoever that Daniel Penney behaved the way he did because Jordan Neely was black."
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On Civic Responsibility:
"We need more people like Daniel Penny who step in when bad things happen, who has the courage to step up..."
(Timestamp not specified)
Final Thoughts:
In this episode, Ben Shapiro meticulously dissects the Daniel Penny verdict, arguing that the acquittal was a triumph of justice over politically motivated prosecution. He contends that societal and racial biases improperly influenced the trial, leading to an unnecessary and unjust legal battle. Shapiro champions the role of responsible bystanders in maintaining public safety and criticizes the current legal and activist landscape for discouraging such actions. The episode serves as a call to action for societal change, advocating for support of individuals who take brave stands in the face of potential threats.