Yavapai News

Today, Rep. Eli Crane (R-AZ) has written a letter to New York County District Attorney Alvin Bragg, urging him to stop attempting to convict former U.S. Marine Daniel Penny. The letter addresses Bragg's misguided efforts to condemn Penny to 15 years in prison for his courageous act of stopping a criminal from threatening and terrifying residents of New York City.

The incident occurred in May 2023 when Penny fearlessly protected fellow passengers on a New York City subway train from Jordan Neely, an individual with a history of forty-two prior arrests. Despite the city's "progressive" criminal justice policies failing to prevent Neely from posing a threat, Penny stepped up to defend those around him.

Unfortunately, Daniel Penny's request to dismiss the charges against him was recently denied. In his letter to DA Bragg, Rep. Crane expressed his disappointment, stating, "When soft-on-crime prosecutors, like yourself, fail to address lawlessness and debauchery in their cities, Americans such as Daniel Penny are having to protect themselves and others now more than ever in the face of rising rates of crime."

Rep. Crane also highlighted the importance of not condemning and persecuting Good Samaritans who take it upon themselves to stop criminals, particularly as the Left continues to push the defund the police movement. He emphasized that Democrats' advocacy for soft-on-crime policies ties the hands of the police and leads to dangerous, crime-infested streets, which forces courageous individuals like Daniel Penny to step up.

Numerous witnesses have unequivocally defended Daniel Penny as a hero, recognizing his brave actions in the defense of himself and others. Rep. Crane is not alone in supporting Mr. Penny. He is joined by a group of Republican Representatives, including Rep. Andy Biggs (R-AZ), Rep. Josh Brecheen (R-OK), Rep. Michael Cloud (R-TX), Rep. Paul Gosar (R-AZ), Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA), Rep. Mary Miller (R-IL), Rep. Barry Moore (R-AL), Rep. Andy Ogles (R-TN), Rep. Matt Rosendale (R-MT), and Rep. Troy Nehls (R-TX).

The full letter can be read here.

This case sheds light on the ongoing debate surrounding criminal justice policies and the role of citizens in protecting their communities. With Rep. Crane leading the effort to ensure justice for Daniel Penny, the hope is that the New York County District Attorney will reconsider his stance and recognize the heroic actions taken by Penny in the face of danger.