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# Daniel Penny Acquitted: A Case Divided by Race, Public Safety, and Vigilantism

The recent trial of Daniel Penny, a 26-year-old former Marine, has captured the nation's attention, stirring a heated debate around public safety, race, and the limits of self-defense. Penny was acquitted of **criminally negligent homicide** following the death of Jordan Neely, a 30-year-old man with a troubled history including mental illness and homelessness. The case has raised questions about the context of urban violence, the role of bystanders, and the implications of the verdict for future interactions between civilians and those deemed a threat.