Daniel Penny trial begins in New York for chokehold subway death of Jordan Neely

A crowd of about 40 people protesting over Mr Neely’s death gathered outside the court house in New York ahead of the start of jury selection on Monday.

Mr Penny, who has been free on bail since he was charged, came into Manhattan Criminal Court on Monday wearing a blue suit. He stared straight ahead as he walked to sit next to his lawyers.

New York Judge Maxwell Wiley said the first few days of jury selection would involve picking Manhattan residents who are able to sit on a trial that is expected to last six weeks. The voir dire process of jury selection – when prospective jurors are asked questions about their background and potential biases – is expected to begin Friday.

Mr Penny, who has said he was acting in self-defence, faces up to 15 years in prison if convicted of the manslaughter charge.

Prosecutors say he put Mr Neely in a chokehold “that lasted approximately six minutes and continued well past the point at which Mr Neely had stopped purposeful movement”.

Fellow passengers filmed the incident, with a freelance journalist recording Mr Penny holding Mr Neely around the neck for several minutes.

Witnesses said Mr Neely was shouting about being hungry and willing to return to jail or die, but there was no indication he physically attacked anyone.

Emergency responders could not resuscitate him and Mr Neely was pronounced dead at hospital.

The city medical examiner ruled his death a homicide, caused by compression of the neck.

Mr Neely was a Michael Jackson impersonator who performed in Times Square and was known throughout the city.