THE DEATH OF THE GOOD SAMARITAN
The Persecution of Daniel Penny
We all remember horror stories of people being beaten, raped, robbed or killed, usually in big cities… and no one intervened or even placed a call to the police. While we believe in the idea of the Good Samaritan, in fact, being the good person can often destroy that person’s life. Well, not if they only have to make a phone call. But if you’re waiting for someone to save you in a liberal city, forget about it.
I remember a story of a woman who saw a neighbor’s house burning. She called the fire department, but then, remembering they had kids, broke a window and rushed in to try to save them. The family was away at the time, but afterwards, instead of thanks, they sued her for not saving their valuables. The Good Samaritan had badly damaged the nerves in her dominant arm and was never able to really use her hand, but had to go to court to avoid being further harmed by a judgment. Good Samaritans are rarely thanked.
But it gets worse. If you try to defend yourself or someone else, especially if you use a gun, you may lose heavily in court. You may find yourself behind bars and then, subject to a civil suit for the “harm” you caused the criminal, paying huge sums to them or their families. Smart CCW holders only rush to save themselves or their loved ones because of this twisted way the law is written. Don’t expect people to be there for you until the law changes to protect the “good guys with guns.”
Daniel Penny, Hero
Anyone who rides public transit knows how dangerous it has become. As you board a car, you carefully assess who is already on it, possibly moving to another car if you see things that worry you. But every stop brings more people on board and often, the cars are so crowded, you can’t avoid someone who might grope or rob you. Sometimes, the person is crazy, but their actions can be so threatening that you are justified in taking action.
When Jordan Neely, a possibly-insane, Black homeless man, began attacking passengers and threatening them, several people jumped in to try to control him and protect others. One was a Black man who helped Daniel Penny try to find a way to stop the violence. Finally, a chokehold seemed the only way to control Neely.
Neely continued to struggle, so Penny maintained the hold, while others held his arms and legs. Neely died from being held too long, but there is no evidence that he wouldn’t have resumed his violence if released. What were the riders’ options?
Now, Penny is on trial for manslaughter. Keep in mind, he himself was threatened, so why not self-defense? That would be the logical understanding, but not in far-Left New York. Penny kept his silence for a while, but finally admitted to being afraid to ride transit anymore. He said he had witnessed other threatening encounters, but insisted that this one was different. He also insists that he never intended to kill Neely, just to keep other riders safe. While media reports on this in languorous detail, the event took place in a very short amount of time. What would you have done? How would you know the difference between Neely passing out from lack of air or dying?
The Good Samaritan
Penny reported that he felt he had a moral obligation to act. He remembered hearing Eli Wiesel tell his high school class that during the Holocaust, “good people did nothing.” He said that this was a lesson he carried ever since. He noted that there is little one can do on a packed train between stations. “I was scared when Neely got on and started screaming and threatening people.”
Even people of color on the train felt he acted in self-defense and protected them. Beyond the criminal trial, Neely’s family, who previously seemed to not care much about him, leaving him on the street, untreated, are also suing Penny for money.
Neely was mentally ill, but he had been arrested 42 times, including four times for assault. And yet, he was able to walk around freely, hurting others. He even tried to kidnap a 7-year-old girl. Long-time subway riders reported earlier that they had begun to fear Neely nine years previously. Yet, reports call Penny a racist and a criminal. Keep in mind that many of the people riding that train are minorities. He protected them.
What Should Be Done?
First, the laws (and courts) need to change their approach to this kind of incident. Self-defense and the defense of others has to be promoted as a public good, not a crime. Otherwise, people will be harmed by repeat offenders much more often. Letting criminals off always results in more crime. Just look at San Francisco.
Second, we need to stop letting the insane wander the streets, unmedicated and uncontrolled. We need to get tough on this. So far, there is little evidence that psychosis can be cured, only treated. People who are dangerous and who cannot support themselves need to be offered treatment. If they won’t take it, then they need to be in an institution. So many of the homeless in our big city are in that situation because they are crazy AND they cannot hold a job. Why do idiot politicians insist that the solution is to give them a home? That doesn’t treat the core problem.
Yes, it seems horrible to institutionalize someone, but, right now, our laws favor protecting the criminal at the expense of innocent victims. This has to change. You can’t fix the crazy homeless with handouts and a home. Many of them need constant supervision, medication and therapy. That’s the humane solution, for them, and for society.
