Daniel Penny Hired By Trump-Alligned VC Firm After Being Acquitted Of Homicide Of A Mentally Disturbed Homeless Man In NYC Subway

by Baila Eve ZismanFebruary 6, 2025, 2:44 pmNews >

Andreessen Horowitz investment firm in Silicon Valley has hired Daniel Penny, a Marine veteran who strangled a New York City passenger to death last year, just two months following his narrow escape from a 20-year sentence in prison.

In December 2024, Penny, 26, was acquitted of criminally negligent homicide and manslaughter after his 2023 killing of homeless man Jordan Neely, 30, whom he forced to the ground and held around the neck until Neely died on a subway ride.

According to passengers, Neely, a homeless man, got on the subway and began to threaten passengers verbally. As the train came to the station, Penny leaped on Neely and held him down for six minutes, leading to his death.

The attack was recorded on camera in its entirety.

Manhattan District Attorney Alvin L. Bragg Jr. indicted Penny for one count of manslaughter in the second degree and one count of criminally negligent homicide. Penny was initially charged with four years in prison for negligent homicide and a maximum of 15 years for manslaughter.

Andreessen Horowitz has hired Penny for the American Dynamism team. This department manages investments in public safety, education, defense, aerospace and more.

Davi Ulevitch, a general partner at the firm, confirmed the hire, saying, “[Penny] will learn the business of investing and work to support our portfolio companies.”

Ulevitch noted that Penny’s experience in the U.S. Marine Corps would serve him well while directing relationships with the Department of Defense and public safety sector.

He praised Penny’s actions, declaring, “I believe, as I know many of you do, that Daniel acted with courage in a tough situation. He was acquitted of all charges…beyond that; it has always been our policy to evaluate the entire person and not judge them for the worst moment in their life.”

Andreessen Horowitz has become closely aligned with President Donald Trump. Co-founder Mark Andreesen endorsed Trump and has been seen frequently a Mar-a-Lago since the election.