AOC says Ron DeSantis 'should read the Bible' after he called Marine Daniel Penny a Good Samaritan for his chokehold on Jordan Neely which left him facing manslaughter charges
Daily Mail
May 20, 2023
Woke Congresswoman AOC slammed Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis for his remarks defending Marine vet Daniel Penny as she left the funeral of Jordan Neely
Squad member Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez has slammed Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis for calling Marine Daniel Penny a good Samaritan.
The woke congresswoman suggested that the presidential hopeful 'read the Bible' as she left the funeral service for 30-year-old homeless man Jordan Neely on Saturday.
Penny, 24, was filmed putting Neely into a chokehold after Neely threatened people on a New York City subway on May 1.
He is charged with second-degree manslaughter, and faces up to 15 years in prison.
But some, including the Florida governor, have come to Penny's defense — saying he was just trying to protect others.
DeSantis — who is expected to announce his candidacy for the presidency next week — called Penny a 'good Samaritan'
Speaking of the incident in a news conference on Tuesday, Ron DeSantis praised Penny for doing the 'right thing' as he touted the Marine's military service.
'Vets look out for vets,' said DeSantis — who is expected to announce his campaign for president next week. 'What we can't have in our society is inmates running the asylum.'
He then went on to refer to Penny as a 'good Samaritan.'
'What you saw on the subway was you saw a guy that was very dangerous. He was putting people in harm's way. He was boasting that he may do harm,' DeSantis claimed.
'And I think to be able to step in as a good Samaritan and protect people — I think that that' something that was the right thing to do. And I don't think he should be prosecuted.'
DeSantis also slammed Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg for bringing charges against Penny.
'I think you have a prosecutor there that sides with the criminal element over law-abiding citizens, and when people have the temerity to fight back against the criminal element, he goes after them.
'I think the charges are going to be dropped,' DeSantis continued, 'but if they're not, I think he's going to be able to win in the end.'
But when asked on Saturday by an unidentified reporter about his comments calling Penny a good Samaritan, New York Congresswoman AOC said: 'I think he should read a Bible.'
In the Christian Bible, the parable of the good Samaritan is about a traveler who is stripped of clothing, beaten and left half dead on the side of the road.
At first, a Jewish priest and a Levite man pass by the traveler — who is thought to be Jewish — without helping him.
Finally, a Samaritan walks by and helps the traveler, despite Samaritans' and Jews' distrust at the time.
The term 'good Samaritan' has since come to man anyone who helps a stranger.
AOC's remarks came just moments after the Rev. Al Sharpton claimed Penny was a killer during a eulogy for Neely.
Reverend Al Sharpton used Neely's funeral to condemn Penny's behavior, claiming Neely was just 'screaming for help'
He, too, took aim at DeSantis' comments saying: 'A good Samaritan helps those in trouble, they don't choke them out.
'What happened to Jordan was a crime and this family shouldn't have to stand alone.'
Sharpton also condemned what he said was New York City's failure to care for the homeless.
'He's been choked his whole life,' Sharpton said as he claimed Neely's threats that day were a 'cry for help.'
Neely had been threatening and throwing trash on the uptown F train in New York City before his death and had a lengthy criminal record for offenses including assault and disorderly conduct.
'Jordan was not annoying anyone on the train. Jordan was screaming for help. We keep criminalizing people with mental illness. They don't need abuse, they need help,' he said.
But Neely had an extensive rap sheet for crimes on the subway, including vicious assaults of other passengers.
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