A former US Marine has entered a not-guilty plea to the charges against him after being caught on camera choking a man to death on a New York City subway train.
In court on Wednesday, 24-year-old Daniel Penny was charged with negligent homicide and second-degree manslaughter.
Jordan Neely, 30, died on May 1; he was taken into custody 11 days later.
Protests were started after Mr. Neely was captured on camera being held down for several minutes during the altercation on an F train subway car.
If found guilty of the manslaughter charge, Mr. Penny could spend up to 15 years behind bars. On bail of $100,000 (£80,000), he was released after his arrest on May 12.
Alvin Bragg, the district attorney for Manhattan, expressed in a statement that he hoped the Neely family was "on the path towards healing as they continue to mourn this tragic loss.".
Mr. Penny addressed the incident on social media earlier this month and stated that he had no desire to murder Mr. Neely.
"I was terrified for myself, but I looked around and saw women and kids who were being threatened by the man who was shouting in their faces. I simply couldn't remain still," he admitted.
A frequent performer in Times sq\., Mr. Neely was a Michael Jackson impersonator.
