The Marine who was seen on camera choking homeless man Jordan Neely to death on the subway has hired the longtime opponent of Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg to represent him.
When the DA's office decides to file charges in Neely's death, the straphanger, whose identity hasn't been made public, hired criminal defense lawyer Thomas Kenniff, potentially setting up another confrontation with Bragg.
Democrat Bragg defeated Republican Kenniff in the contest for Manhattan district attorney in 2021.
The founding partner of Raiser & Kenniff, an Iraq War veteran, major in the Army National Guard, and former Westchester prosecutor, declined to comment on his new client on Thursday.
After Monday's fatal encounter, his client, a 24-year-old Queens resident according to police sources, was taken into custody but later released without being charged.
As part of its investigation, the DA's office is currently deciding whether to file criminal charges against him in connection with Neely's death, which was determined to be a homicide, New York Post reported.
A spokesman for Bragg confirmed the probe was ongoing Thursday.
"As part of our rigorous ongoing investigation, we will review the Medical Examiner's report, assess all available video and photo footage, identify and interview as many witnesses as possible, and obtain additional medical records," the rep said in a Wednesday evening statement.
The spokesperson added that the office will provide an update "when there is additional public information to share."
Neely, 30, allegedly went on an aggressive rant, according to witnesses, and the Marine was seen on camera placing him in a chokehold aboard an F train in lower Manhattan.
Neely was yelling at passengers and tossing trash around just before the Marine brought him down, according to a witness who recorded the altercation and spoke to The Washington Post.
Police claim that after being placed in a chokehold, Neely passed out, and when EMS arrived, they were unable to revive him. When he arrived at Lenox Health Greenwich Village, he died.
© 2024 Latin Times. All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.