On Thursday afternoon Jordan Williams, the man accused of stabbing a man in a Brooklyn subway, was released without bail. His arrest and self-defense plea created controversy. There are similarities between his case and that of ex-Marine Daniel Penny.
Penny put Jordan Neely, into a chokehold in an effort to restrain him on a Manhattan subway. Witnesses claim that Neely had been threatening to kill people and harassing subway riders. And Penny had to act to defend himself and the others.
Penny was indicted this week putting a spotlight on the debate about self-defense in the context of public safety.
Self-defense on a Brooklyn Subway
Williams allegedly killed Devictor Quedraogo, 36, who had been harassing and attacking passengers aboard a northbound J train. The swift release of Williams without any bail also invites the comparison to the Daniel Penny case.
Williams, a 20-year-old, walked out of Kings County criminal court on Thursday afternoon. The judge, opting not to impose bail, urged Williams to fight the case with the support of his family and community.
