Daniel Penny Maintains , NYC Subway Death of Jordan Neely , Not Race Related.br NPR reports that U.S. Marine Daniel Penny insisted in br his first interview since fatally choking Jordan Neely br that the confrontation "had nothing to do with race.".br Everybody who's ever met me can tell br you, I love all people, I love all cultures. , Daniel Penny, Former U.S. Marine, via NBC.br I was actually planning a road trip br through Africa before this happened, Daniel Penny, Former U.S. Marine, via NBC.br The 24-year-old Penny faces a felony charge of br second-degree manslaughter for the death of br Neely, a 30-year-old man who was homeless. .br The 24-year-old Penny faces a felony charge of br second-degree manslaughter for the death of br Neely, a 30-year-old man who was homeless. .br The May 1 altercation saw Penny, who is white, br place Neely, who was Black, in a chokehold for several br minutes, which resulted in the death of Neely.br NPR reports Penny called Neely's death br a tragedy and said that the real blamebr should be placed on 'the system.'.br It's tragic what happened to him. br Hopefully, we can change the system br that's so desperately failed us, Daniel Penny, Former U.S. Marine, via NBC.br Penny's arrest came over a week br after the incident following protests br calling for charges against him.br Activists have compared Neely's death br to the deaths of Eric Garner and George Floyd, br who were both killed by white police officers. .br Penny has maintained that race br had nothing to do with his actions, br which resulted in Neely's death. .br I judge a person based on br their character. I'm not br a white supremacist, Daniel Penny, Former U.S.