Kid Rock – born Robert Ritchie – has become one of the top donors to Marine veteran Daniel Penny’s legal defense fund. Penny was recently charged in New York City, after he choked a homeless man by the name of Jordan Neely.
Videos by American Songwriter
Penny was accused of second-degree manslaughter on Friday (May 12) after he strangled Neely to death on a New York City train. The incident was captured on video and immediately went viral. According to Fox News, Neely suffered from mental illness and was “making threats and scaring passengers,” which drove Penny to restrain the man from acting out and to protect others.
“When Mr. Penny, a decorated Marine veteran, stepped in to protect himself and his fellow New Yorkers, his well-being was not assured,” said Penny’s attorney Steve Raiser. “He risked his own life and safety, for the good of his fellow passengers. The unfortunate result was the unintended and unforeseen death of Mr. Neely. We are confident that once all the facts and circumstances surrounding this tragic incident are brought to bear, Mr. Penny will be fully absolved of any wrongdoing.”
Following the charge, the GiveSendGo fundraiser was started to help Penny pay for legal fees incurred from criminal charges filed and future civil lawsuits that may stem from the defense. Once the proceeds cover Penny, the remaining will be donated to a mental health advocacy program in Manhattan.
Penny’s attorneys, Thomas Kenniff and Raiser, initially started the fund. The fundraiser has already surpassed $2 million in donations after Kid Rock made a $5,000 contribution.
The singer left a message alongside his donation directed towards the Manhattan District Attorney, Alvin Bragg. A spokesperson from Kid Rock’s team confirmed with Fox that the singer was behind the payment.
“Mr. Penny is a hero. Alvin Bragg is a POS. Kid Rock,” read the message.
Jacob Wells, the co-founder of GiveSendGo, told the outlet that Penny’s defense fund has been the No. 2 performer since he launched the website in 2015. The fund has accumulated $ 2,601,796, as Neely’s GoFundMe has approximately $145,074.
Neely has a criminal track record. He was arrested more than 40 times and was on the city’s “Top 50” list of homeless people needing help.
Penny was released on Friday, May 12, on a $100,000 bond. He is scheduled to return to court on July 17.
Photo by Scott Legato/Getty Images
