New York City Council member Vickie Paladino called on the incoming Trump administration to open a federal civil rights investigation into the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office. Following the acquittal of veteran Daniel Penny on Monday. District Attorney Alvin Bragg was charged in a high-profile subway strangulation case. politically motivated
“It’s really that simple: Manhattan’s DA has created this racial story. We’ve seen what AG Bragg is capable of and is trying to keep up with. And I think between Trump and now This is the most amazing cake with Penny… They turned it into a vendetta. He is definitely a political person. And I think the entire DA office in Manhattan needs to be investigated,” she told “Fox & Friends First.”
Paladino, Republican The 26-year-old has been outspoken on behalf of Penny, expressing her support at a press conference last year. which she argued that he “The system has failed” and called for him to be given a fair trial.
DANIEL PENNY WILL BE TAPED TO GOLD METAL IN CONGRESS BY HOUSE GOP LAWMAKER
Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg speaks during a news conference at the Louis J. Lefkowitz State Office Building on March 21, 2024 in New York City. (Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images)
Penny is charged with manslaughter and negligence in the death of Jordan Neely, a 30-year-old homeless man, on the New York City subway. After he put Neely in the isthmus for threatening other passengers.
The manslaughter charge was dropped at the request of prosecutors on Friday. After the jury failed to reach a unanimous agreement twice.
Penny was acquitted of the lesser charge of criminally negligent homicide on Monday. It sparked anger from Black Lives Matter activists, who pledged to protest the results.
“Over the weekend they (the jury) knew they were brought in to convict him no matter what. And I think on Friday there were a lot of people who knew that. Who sits on the jury? And I think that’s where it came from. Came back as quick as ever,” Paladino said.
DANIEL PENNY FOUND NOT GUILTY IN SUBWAY CHOKEHOLD TRIAL
Vickie Paladino arrives at Daniel Penny’s sentencing hearing at the Manhattan Criminal Court Building in New York City on Monday, December 2, 2024. (Julia Bonavita/Fox News Digital)
Bragg said in a statement respond to acquittal “The jury has spoken. At the Manhattan DA’s Office, we have a deep respect for the jury process. And we respect their decision.”
The statement continued: “Unfortunately, throughout the duration of this trial Competent prosecutors and their family members are besieged by hatred and intimidation. on social media, on the phone and via email. Simply put, this is unacceptable and everyone, no matter what, Your opinion on this should condemn it.
“These are prosecutors who have dedicated their lives to public service and the safety of Manhattan. I am grateful to them, as well as the NYPD, for their hard work and commitment not only on this matter. But for everything they do On behalf of the people of New York I want to thank Judge Wiley for presiding over this case. Finally, I want to thank the jury for taking time out of their lives to diligently evaluate the evidence.”
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Maud Maron, a lawyer and Republican vying for Bragg’s seat; also criticized the progressive DA as she sat down with “Fox & Friends” co-host Lawrence Jones on Monday.
“Alvin Bragg came into this office with his diary, which was flawed in many ways, saying he would not prosecute. resist arrest saying he would treat some crimes as misdemeanors. That is not his role,” she said.
“He’s going to leave. Now that he is finishing his term on the Daniel Penny case, this will be his legacy as he tries to prosecute a young man with no criminal record. Someone who served his country honorably and did what many others do. In the subway, I hope to be a brave young man and step up and try to protect the people on the subway.”
