Professional golfer Phil Mickelson has publicly expressed his support for Daniel Penny, whose manslaughter trial related to the death of Jordan Neely recently ended in a deadlocked jury. Mickelson shared a post on X (formerly Twitter) that praised Penny as a "model citizen" and a "hero." Mickelson added his own commentary, thanking Penny for his military service and for protecting subway passengers from what he described as a "violent and deranged individual."

The jury was initially unable to reach a verdict on the second-degree manslaughter charge against Penny, who held Neely in a chokehold during an altercation on a New York City subway. After further deliberation, the most serious charge was dismissed, allowing the jury to consider a lesser charge of criminally negligent homicide. The prosecution argued that Penny acted recklessly, while the defense maintained that Neely, who reportedly had a history of mental illness and substance abuse, posed a threat to passengers.

Neely, who had schizophrenia and a criminal record, reportedly threatened passengers on the subway before the incident. He was under the influence of K2, a synthetic marijuana, at the time of his death. The jury will continue deliberations on the lesser charge of criminally negligent homicide following a weekend break.