The fund, set up by Penny’s legal team on the crowdfunding platform GiveSendGo, has reached the $1 million mark and is increasing fast.
The fund stood at around $400,000 as of late Friday morning, meaning it more than doubled in 24 hours.
The current fund will be used to pay Penny’s legal fees incurred from any criminal charges filed and any future civil lawsuits that may arise, as well as other expenses related to his defense. Excess funds will be donated to a mental health advocacy program in New York City.
GiveSendGo is a Christian crowdfunding platform. It rose to prominence during the Canadian truckers’ boycott last year, when it defied the Canadian government’s demand to freeze funds destined for the Freedom Convoy, which had blockaded major highways in protest of coronavirus restrictions.
Penny turned himself in to a New York City police station yesterday, where he was arraigned on charges of second degree manslaughter. If convicted, he faces up to 15 years in prison.
Neely, a homeless man with over 40 prior arrests, had allegedly been screaming threats on the F train in New York City before being wrestled to the floor and placed in a chokehold by Penny and two others. Neely died after losing consciousness during the tussle.