On May 3, 2023, Jordan Neely was tragically killed while riding the New York City subway. The incident occurred when a Marine veteran placed him in a chokehold that ultimately caused his death. This event has been ruled a homicide and has sparked outrage nationwide.
The video of Neely's death quickly went viral on social media platforms such as Twitter and Instagram. The footage shows the Marine holding Neely in a chokehold for over two minutes, despite Neely begging him to stop and telling the man he could not breathe. The video also captures several other passengers attempting to intervene but was unsuccessful in preventing the assault.
Neely's death has prompted widespread protests throughout New York City and beyond. Protesters have taken to the streets outside of City Hall, demanding that officials take immediate action against police brutality and hold those responsible accountable. Many call for justice for Neely, demanding that the Marine veteran be held accountable for his actions. The question that lingers in the minds of many is who is at fault for this tragedy. Some may argue that mental illness played a role in the perpetrator's actions and should be considered an excuse. However, mental illness should not be used to justify committing a crime. It is important to establish who is responsible for Jordan Neely's death. The individual who committed the violent act bears full responsibility for their actions. Regardless of the circumstances, taking another person's life is only justified to defend yourself or others. Society expects individuals to abide by its laws and regulations, and those who choose to deviate from these standards must face the consequences.
While mental illness may have played a role in the commission of the crime, it does not absolve the perpetrator of their actions. Mental health issues can impact individuals' ability to make rational decisions or control their impulses. However, it does not mean they are unaware of what they are doing or responsible for their actions. If someone with mental illness commits a crime, they still need to be held accountable for their behavior.
Using mental illness as an excuse diminishes the experiences of those living with mental health conditions who do not commit crimes. It perpetuates stigma around mental health and reinforces negative stereotypes about people with mental illnesses being dangerous or unpredictable. Using such excuses, we further isolate individuals experiencing psychological distress from society.
Additionally, allowing individuals with mental illness to use it as an excuse could set a dangerous precedent that undermines our justice system and creates confusion about accountability. It opens up opportunities for manipulation and exploitation of legal loopholes by offenders seeking leniency.
Jordan Neely's death was a tragic event that underscores the importance of personal responsibility and accountability, irrespective of one's mental state. While there are legitimate concerns regarding mental health and its impact on behavior, it is crucial to establish that individuals are responsible for their actions. Furthermore, we must continue to work towards destigmatizing mental illness and providing adequate support to those who need it. However, this should not be used as an excuse to commit crimes or escape the consequences of one's actions.
Although there are instances where individuals with mental illnesses may require treatment and rehabilitation rather than punishment, these should be determined by professionals based on the severity of the individual's condition and capacity for rehabilitation. However, using mental illness as an excuse to escape justice or reduce culpability creates loopholes in our legal system that could allow offenders to manipulate and exploit leniency in sentencing.
Furthermore, framing mental illness as an excuse for criminal behavior perpetuates negative stereotypes about individuals with mental health issues. It reinforces the notion that they are inherently dangerous or unable to control themselves when research indicates that only a small percentage of those with mental illnesses are violent or pose a threat to others.
The circumstances surrounding his death were tragic and unfortunate; however, it is important to note that the use of force by the individual responsible for Neely's death was proper and necessary based on the self-defense standard of the law. The self-defense standard allows people to use reasonable force when they reasonably believe their life is in danger or they're about to suffer serious injury." In this case, it has been reported that Neely had attacked the individual who ultimately used force against him, leading them to fear for their safety and act accordingly.
While any loss of life is devastating, it is crucial to consider all aspects of a situation before making judgments or drawing conclusions. In cases with conflicting accounts or interpretations of events, investigators and prosecutors must conduct a thorough investigation and review all available evidence before determining whether charges should be filed." This sentiment highlights the importance of due process in our legal system and emphasizes that decisions must be based on facts rather than speculation or emotion. Ultimately, while the death of Jordan Neely is undoubtedly a tragedy, it appears that the use of force against him was justified under the self-defense standard of the law.
It is crucial to address the root causes of such behaviors rather than attributing them solely to an individual's mental disorder diagnosis. This requires creating awareness campaigns to reduce the stigma around mental illness while providing adequate support systems for affected individuals so they can receive proper care and management.
In conclusion, Jordan Neely's death was a tragic event that underscores the importance of personal responsibility and accountability, irrespective of one's mental state. While there are legitimate concerns regarding mental health and its impact on behavior, it is crucial to establish that individuals are responsible for their actions. Furthermore, we must continue to work towards destigmatizing mental illness and providing adequate support to those who need it. However, this should not be used as an excuse to commit crimes or escape the consequences of one's actions. Instead, we should strive to create a system that recognizes the complexity of mental health issues and addresses them appropriately with compassion and justice in mind.
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