Milon Shil All About Entertainment, Lander World
Despite heading into what will be the most consequential week of their lives, Daniel Penny’s family is focusing on gratitude.
“We’re blessed and grateful for everything we do have. We have each other,” Penny’s mother Gina Flaim-Penny told me on the eve of Thanksgiving.
On Thursday, Daniel gathered with his mother and his younger sister Taylor Penny, 24, at his maternal grandparents’ home. His two other sisters, Jackie Penny, 27, and Katie Penny, 22, who were in Miami and Texas respectively, planned to FaceTime so they could all eat “together.”
In addition to traditional Thanksgiving fare, Flaim-Penny’s mother made her famous lasagna.
“I can’t make it as good as my mother and Danny said ‘Nonna’s is the best,’” she said, adding that her mother was happy to prepare her specialty for her grandson. “My parents love him so much. He always goes to visit them.”
Flaim-Penny and her three daughters say they would treat this Thanksgiving like it was any other family holiday – with games, jokes and of course, Nonna’s lasagna. But nothing is typical in their world.
Their beloved “Danny” is facing second degree manslaughter and criminally negligent homicide for the chokehold that prosecutors have argued killed mentally disturbed homeless man Jordan Neely on the F train in May 2023.
After a month, the trial is nearing its end. On Monday both sides will deliver their closing statements and the 26-year-old Long Island native’s future will rest in the hands of the 12 Manhattanites on the jury. He is facing up to 15 years behind bars.
“There’s a lot on the line,” Jackie, the eldest sibling acknowledged to The Post. “Our brother’s fate will essentially be decided. Ultimately we trust that whatever happens is God’s will. We will get through it together.”
The controversial case has tugged at racial tensions and exposed the gross inadequacies of DA Alvin Bragg’s soft-on-crime policies and the left’s twisted version of compassion, allowing dangerous, mentally disturbed and violent people to roam free.
But the Penny women say it’s strengthened their family bond and their faith.
“We’ve seen Danny be so strong throughout all of this. When this initially happened, there was a lot of attention and it’s really scary and uncertain. It makes you want to recede and hide. But his strength has encouraged us,” said Jackie.
Katie echoed her oldest sister’s sentiments. “He’s just very calm and I give him credit because it’s not easy. He is putting everything in God’s hands.”
His mother is coping in her own way: keeping busy. Flaim-Penny, who lives in Queens, is both a teacher’s assistant and a caregiver for a woman with dementia.
“If I don’t have anything to do, yeah I start thinking and I don’t want to go there because Danny doesn’t want us to be that way.”
There have been happy distractions for the family. Katie is engaged to marry in December of next year. Nine months ago, she gave birth to her daughter, Aurora. She said her brother “lights up” when he’s with his niece, who brings out “this beautiful side of him and it makes me so happy. My daughter just loves him.”
Adoration for the Marine veteran is a running theme in the close knit family.
“When I was younger I would follow him everywhere, because I wanted to be his favorite sister,” said Taylor.
And with good reason. They say he’s always stepped up when they needed help.
“Danny’s always been a good big brother. It takes me back to the things he used to do for me growing up,” said Katie.
The new mom recalled signing up to perform in their elementary school talent show as a first grader. The day of the production, nerves kicked in, and she told her mother she wanted to back out because she was scared. “It was like an hour before the show, and without hesitation, he said, ‘I’ll dance with you so you don’t have to do it alone’.”
Penny, who was a fifth grader at the time, followed through on his promise and performed with his little sister in front of the entire school. “From that day on, he meant so much more to me that just being a big brother. I truly look up to him. I always have and I always will.”
They describe Daniel as funny and lighthearted but dynamic and focused. After speaking to the Penny women, I’d describe them as filled with grace and restraint.
“I think we’ve been good with holding it together. Behind closed doors, everyone has their moments. All we can do is wait,” said Katie.
They say they’re ready for any verdict the jury returns. Even if it’s not in Daniel’s favor.
On Sunday night at 5 pm, the family will also hold a Zoom for about 20 relatives to come together and pray “for the upcoming decision. That’s all we can ask for, is prayers,” said Jackie.