A New York City subway rider was acquitted this week of murdering a homeless man during a train rampage with US President Donald Trump as the guest of honor at the famous American event.
Daniel Penny, who later became a football player, was photographed attending the Army v Navy American football game near Washington DC with Trump and vice president-elect JD Vance.
Before the game, Ohio Senator Vance said in an article on X that he is “thankful” Mr Penny, a former US Marine, has accepted his invitation to be on Trump’s team on the military side.
A jury acquitted Penny of manslaughter on Monday for using deadly force to control Jordan Neely, a 30-year-old homeless man who had been yelling at fellow travelers for money last year.
The Army v Navy game is an annual game that marks the end of the American college football season and is the final game of the season’s Commander-in-Chief’s Trophy series.
It is one of America’s greatest sports competitions, representing a fierce competition between the two branches of the US Armed Forces.
In a photo taken outside Trump’s venue at Northwest Stadium in Landover, Maryland, on Saturday, Penny could be seen talking to Trump and Vance.
Commenting on Mr. Penny’s pardon earlier this week, Vance said this week on X that Mr. Penny “was a good man, and the New York district attorney tried to destroy his life by having his back”.
The incoming vice president added that it was “disgraceful” that New York District Attorney Alvin Bragg had ever prosecuted the case.
Mr. Neely’s death, and the trial that followed, became a scandal, with some accusing Mr. Neely of being a vigilante, others defending him, saying that he was looking out for the safety of other passengers.
Mr. Penny’s lawyer, Mr. Steven Raiser, said in his statement that his client was honored by being invited to Saturday’s game.
“He’s not seeing it as a political statement. He’s seeing it as respect,” Mr Raiser told Reuters news agency.
“If the president was a Democrat, he invited him to the Army-Navy match as a way of showing support for the army and his country, he would have accepted it with joy.”
Also at the event is Pete Hegseth, Trump’s defense secretary, and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, who was recently said to be in the running to replace Hegseth, should Trump remove him.
Hegseth’s appointment has come under intense scrutiny amid questions about his qualifications and his approach.
Trump’s chosen director of national intelligence, Mr. Tulsi Gabbard, who was nominated to be the director of the FBI, Kash Patel, the Speaker of the Republican House of Representatives, Mr. Mike Johnson, and Mr. Trump’s friend Elon Musk were also present at the event.
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Mr. Penny’s not guilty verdict earlier this week came after prosecutors agreed to drop the aggravated second-degree murder charge, as Manhattan jurors could not reach a consensus.
He said he never intended to kill Mr Neely, who had a history of mental illness.
The May 2023 subway incident sparked protests in New York and reignited debate over public transportation safety and how the city cares for those struggling with mental health issues and homelessness.
Attention is now turning to a lawsuit filed by Neely’s father, who is seeking damages for assault and battery charges.
Mr. Penny’s lawyer has previously described the legal action as a mistake.