Exclusive Interview With NYC Police on Chokehold Investigation

Police have determined that a death from being held down on a subway train has been classified as homicide and have released the person who held him down after questioning. He reported to investigators that Neely had been acting erratic and complaining of hunger and thirst, yet did not attack anyone. What We Know So Far Video footage depicting a Marine veteran placing a homeless person in a chokehold on a New York City subway train has provoked outrage from activists and strained local official relationships. Although questioned and released from police custody after questioning, many are demanding criminal charges be brought against this individual. Witnesses and freelance journalist Juan Alberto Vazquez say Monday's incident happened on an F train headed toward Manhattan. Cell phone footage taken by Vazquez shows a 24-year-old white man pinning Jordan Neely, 30, to the floor with his arm around his neck until his limp form can no longer resist being restrained by another passenger - this, according to witnesses and Vazquez's account of events. Neely was acting erratically and shouting at fellow passengers but wasn't attacking anyone, according to Vazquez's report. On video, one can hear someone warning of impending unconsciousness; then a passenger warns the Marine not to choke hold him because that might kill him; another passenger then enters and warns them they could face murder charges if they suffocate someone to death. Half an hour later, another passenger enters warning him they could be charged with murder for killing anyone with the choke hold they are using on this person. After about three minutes, the man released his choke hold, but eventually the victim collapsed unconcious and was declared dead at a nearby hospital by EMS workers who attempted to revive him but could not. A medical examiner has since determined this death as being caused by compression of the neck. Activists and some elected officials have demanded that a Marine veteran charged with murder face criminal charges; others, including the city's mayor, have yet to pass judgment until more details become clear. On Thursday, a spokesperson from Manhattan District Attorney's Office announced that prosecutors are conducting "an in-depth and rigorous ongoing investigation of this case." This includes reviewing the Medical Examiner's report, interviewing as many witnesses as possible and analyzing any available video footage available to them - ultimately leading them to make their decision about filing charges or not, the spokesperson indicated. The 24 Year Old Marine Police interrogated 24-year-old former Marine Patrick Cuda after the chokehold death of Jordan Neely on a New York City subway train and later release him without being charged with anything. Neely was an impersonator and homeless individual who died after being held down for over three minutes on the F train; whoever held onto him has yet to be named by authorities as it has not been made public; medical examiner classified Neely's death as "homicide by compression of the neck". Neely's life went into free fall following his mother's death in 2007, leading to homelessness and earning money performing as a Michael Jackson impersonator in Times Square and on city subways. Neely's death has sparked outrage throughout New York over homelessness and mental illness as well as lack of support available to sufferers of both conditions. On Friday evening in Washington Square Park hundreds marched demanding charges be brought against unidentified veteran riders as well as himself or herself. According to law enforcement sources and a freelance journalist who posted video footage online of the confrontation on Monday afternoon at Broadway-Lafayette station in Manhattan. Juan Alberto Vazquez who was aboard and shared video showed Neely shouting in an aggressive manner while also complaining of hunger and thirst, although Vazquez didn't observe any attacks by Neely against anyone on board the train. Neely struggled to free himself before collapsing under their grip, eventually succumbing to unconsciousness and later dying at a New York City hospital. The medical examiner has classified his death as a homicide by compression to the neck; no individual who pinned Neely down has yet been identified and any determination regarding criminal liability will ultimately rest with legal proceedings. New York City's mayor and governor have advised New Yorkers to remain impartial until more information becomes available, and have also called for increased mental health workers in streets and subways across New York. The Witnesses Police believe a Marine veteran choked a homeless man to death on a New York City subway train this week, according to video surveillance footage. A 24-year-old suspect was detained but not charged yet as Jordan Neely died from being in a chokehold for several minutes; according to friends and relatives he had made his living by imitating Michael Jackson at Times Square performances and subway rides but had recently fallen on hard times, even becoming homeless at some points. This incident happened Monday afternoon on a northbound F train in Manhattan and video posted online shows an individual, identified as a Marine veteran, approaching Neely and placing him into a chokehold. Neely struggles but cannot break free. Other passengers described him as white male in his mid-30s who served from 2017-2021, eventually being discharged with the rank of sergeant upon exiting military and law enforcement records. Witnesses reported that Neely had behaved erratically but did not attack anyone on the train before being restrained by another rider, including being pinned to the floor by one rider who restrained him. Juan Alberto Vazquez who witnessed and recorded this incident told CNN that when Neely came onto his train car and threw his jacket onto the floor he immediately launched into an angry tirade about being "fed up and hungry" as well as "tired of having nothing". Vazquez, who is not a police officer, reported seeing Neely attempt to grab onto a woman's arm for just one second before being attacked and choked to death by a Marine veteran who placed one arm around Neely's neck before pushing down on him with another hand - with tight grip that caused struggle from Neely until they lost consciousness. The Video Jordan Neely was shouting and pacing back and forth on a New York City subway train as it traveled through Manhattan, impersonating Michael Jackson for money while homeless and suffering mental health issues. Subway riders intervened by tacking him on to Broadway-Lafayette Street/Bleecker Street platform and placing him into a chokehold until he went limp - the medical examiner has determined he died due to compression of neck. Prosecutors will consider charges against 24-year-old Marine veteran Marine veteran whom placed this fatal hold as soon as Monday according to sources close to investigation according to CNN sources close to investigation. Juan Alberto Vazquez, a freelance journalist, caught some of the incident on video. It shows a Marine veteran pinning down Neely. As soon as the train stopped at its station, emergency medical workers quickly responded; Neely lost consciousness shortly thereafter, being declared dead upon arriving at hospital. Law enforcement sources report that the Marine veteran had told them he did not intend to kill Neely but instead was trying to restrain him until police could arrive, according to legal sources. His lawyer -- also a college student serving in the Marine reservist corps -- claims his client has cooperated with authorities and does not wish to pursue civil or criminal proceedings against anyone involved in the incident. While it remains unclear if the Marine was at fault, as he was the first one to intervene against Neely, making him an invaluable witness, said sources. Additionally, police will likely interview any other commuters involved with holding down Neely - including people seated nearby - who assisted with restraint, to hear their perspective of events.