A jury is deliberating in the case of Daniel Penny, who held Jordan Neely in a chokehold on a subway train, resulting in Neely’s death. Penny’s defense attorneys argued that Neely’s sickle cell trait, schizophrenia, and synthetic cannabinoids in his system, along with the struggle with Penny, could have caused a deadly sickle cell crisis. On the other hand, prosecutors argued that sickle cell trait should not be blamed when there is external trauma like a chokehold. Medical experts have stated that sickle cell trait can cause complications under severe conditions, hindering the transportation of oxygen throughout the body.
The defense’s theory that a sickle cell crisis caused Neely’s death has sparked heated debates in the courtroom, with the prosecution presenting evidence that Neely’s death was the result of the chokehold, not sickle cell trait. The American Society of Hematology has warned that attributing deaths to sickle cell crisis must be viewed with skepticism, as there is no scientific evidence to support this claim.
The medical examiner who conducted Neely’s autopsy testified that the chokehold caused Neely’s death, as evidenced by the lack of oxygen flow in his body and other signs of asphyxia. While there were sickled cells present in Neely’s body, the examiner stated that they wouldn’t have occurred if Neely hadn’t been placed in a chokehold.
The outcome of the trial will depend on whether the jury believes Penny’s actions directly caused Neely’s death or if his sickle cell trait played a role. The case has sparked discussions about the role of sickle cell trait in sudden deaths and its impact on legal proceedings.
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