Ex-Marine who placed subway passenger in a deadly chokehold claims self-defense

Ex-Marine who placed subway passenger in a deadly chokehold claims self-defense

Daniel Penny, a 24-year-old ex-Marine, has defended his actions and those of other passengers who restrained New York City subway passenger Jordan Neely in a chokehold that resulted in Neely's death. Penny expressed condolences to Neely's family and claimed that he and other passengers acted in self-defense.

Lawyers representing Penny said Neely had a history of violent and erratic behavior due to untreated mental illness and had been aggressively threatening Penny and others before they acted to protect themselves. The Manhattan prosecutor and police are deciding whether to press charges. The incident has sparked protests calling for an arrest to be made and for action to address the mental health crisis on the city's streets and subways.

What has the incident in New York City highlighted about crime and homelessness on public transport?