Outrage mounts over chokehold death of Michael Jackson impersonator in clash with veteran U.S. Marine on NYC subway

© Andrew Savulich/New York Daily News/TNS Jordan Neely is pictured before going to see the Michael Jackson movie, “This is It,” outside the Regal Cinemas in Times Square in 2009.

Outrage is mounting over the death of a mentally disturbed Michael Jackson impersonator who died on a Manhattan subway train in a caught-on-camera clash with a veteran U.S. Marine who put him in a chokehold.

Friends and elected officials decried the death of Jordan Neely on Wednesday, insisting the homeless busker didn’t deserve to die. Neely, 30, was a familiar sight around town, performing in Times Square and on subways as Michael Jackson.

© Susan Watts/New York Daily News/TNS Neely, 30, was on an F train heading toward the Broadway-Lafayette station in NoHo when he began acting erratically around 2:30 p.m. Monday, passengers told police.

“NYC is not Gotham,” city Comptroller Brad Lander tweeted. “We must not become a city where a mentally ill human being can be choked to death by a vigilante without consequence. Or where the killer is justified & cheered.”

Neely was on an F train heading toward the Broadway-Lafayette stop in NoHo when he began acting erratically around 2:30 p.m. Monday, passengers told police. He yelled and threw garbage at commuters, prompting an argument with the 24-year-old Marine vet, cops said.

© Andrew Savulich/New York Daily News/TNS Jordan Neely is pictured before going to see the Michael Jackson movie, “This is It,” outside the Regal Cinemas in Times Square in 2009.

The quarrel turned into a brawl as the train entered the station.

During the fight, the Marine put the victim in a chokehold and tried to restrain him.

A video of the confrontation shows the Marine with his left arm around Neely’s neck as they struggle.

A second man helped restrain Neely, who turned on his side and continued kicking his legs until he finally stopped moving about two minutes into the disturbing video.

Neely fell unconscious on the train as the Marine held him in the chokehold. A conductor called for police, the video shows. First responders took Neely to Lenox Hill Hospital, where he died.

Neely has a documented mental health history with the NYPD, had been arrested more than 40 times and was a suspect in a 2021 assault, authorities said.

© Andrew Savulich/New York Daily News/TNS Jordan Neely is pictured before going to see the Michael Jackson movie, “This is It,” outside the Regal Cinemas on 8th Ave. and 42nd St. in Times Square, New York, in 2009.

Friends and fans of the Michael Jackson impersonator said Neely was homeless and hungry when he acted out on the Manhattan train.

Rafael Shimunov, co-host of the radio show Beyond the Pale on WBAI, said that all Neely did was throw his jacket to the ground and ask straphangers for food and water.

“(He was) a hungry New Yorker choked to death by a grinning Marine who is being celebrated as a hero by NYPD and press,” Shimunov tweeted. “His offense? ‘Aggressive speech.’”

The Marine Corps veteran was taken in for questioning but released without charges as the investigation continues. As he held the victim in the chokehold he asked witnesses to call 911, police sources said.

When reached by phone, he declined to comment.

“I’m not answering any questions,” he said. “I appreciate it, but I’m not answering any questions.”

Police and Manhattan prosecutors are awaiting the results of an autopsy to determine if criminal charges should be filed against the veteran Marine.

A spokeswoman for the city Medical Examiner said the autopsy results were pending Wednesday.

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