A violent NYC subway passenger who had been arrested at least 44 times on charges like assault and disorderly conduct never regained consciousness after being put in a chokehold by a former U.S. Marine.
Jordan Neely, a 30-year-old vagrant, was acting erratically when the former Marine, 24, intervened, placing Neely in a chokehold while pinning him to the floor — he reportedly held Neely there for about 15 minutes.
The straphanger’s efforts were captured on video by freelance journalist Juan Alberto Vazquez.
Caution: Disturbing Content
“He starts to make a speech,” Vazquez told the New York Post, referring to Neely.
“He started screaming in an aggressive manner,” he added. “He said he had no food, he had no drink, that he was tired and doesn’t care if he goes to jail. He started screaming all these things, took off his jacket, a black jacket that he had, and threw it on the ground.”
Neely was living on the streets and had a history of mental health issues, according to the Post. Police officials said EMS workers at the station were unable to revive the disturbed man.
The Marine was taken into custody but was released a short time later. He declined to comment when reached by the Post.
“None of us who were there thought he was in danger of dying,” Vasquez said. “We thought he just passed out or ran out of air.”
Former NYPD Chief of Detectives Robert Boyce told WABC-TV the Marine may have been preventing imminent harm, but suggested other factors may be considered.
“How long was the actual hold, the neck compression? Was he screaming let me go, let me go? All these things will go into the determination,” he explained.
“The safest thing to do is to call 911 if you can down there, or find an officer nearby,” Boyce continued. “However, save those two instances, if there’s an immediate need to help someone, you do it. Simple as that. So, he will have to articulate immediate need.”
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Tom Tillison grew up in Maryland before moving to Central Florida as a young teen. It is in the Sunshine State that he honed both his passion for politics and his writing skills. Tillison also contributes to BizPac Review.
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