Democratic Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (N.Y.) commented on the death of a man in New York, placed in a headlock by another subway rider, asserting the man was “murdered.”
The death of 30-year-old Jordan Neely sparked outrage online, with images showing him on the train floor in a headlock by a U.S. Marine veteran who grabbed him after he accosted other passengers.
The city medical examiner classified Neely’s death as homicide by chokehold but explained decisions on culpability would be left to the legal system.
On Wednesday (May 3), Ocasio-Cortez weighed in, claiming “Jordan Neely was murdered.”
However, she claimed that since “Jordan was houseless and crying for food” while New York City was “raising rents and stripping services to militarize itself,” those in power demonized the poor.
The New York Democrat insisted the killer is being “protected” by passive-aggressive headlines and isn’t charged.
Neely, who is homeless, allegedly acted aggressively toward other subway passengers, prompting a 24-year-old Marine veteran to put him in a headlock while another passenger restrained him.
The video of the altercation has since gone viral online.
Law enforcement took the Marine veteran into custody but released him without charge.
Currently, the case is being investigated by the Manhattan District Attorney, his office confirmed on Wednesday.
A spokesperson for the District Attorney explained that investigators are reviewing the medical examiner’s report and that “senior, experienced prosecutors” are handling the case.
However, that hasn’t satisfied progressives, as they question some of the mayor’s answers.
Mayor Eric Adams (D) said in a statement Wednesday that because there were many unknowns, he plans to refrain from further comment on the incident.
