Venture capital firm Andreessen Horowitz has hired Daniel Penny, who was acquitted of manslaughter charges after choking a mentally ill subway passenger to death, as a deal partner on its “American Dynamism” team. The firm’s founder, Marc Andreessen, is a strong Trump supporter and had spent time at Mar-a-Lago since the election.
Penny, a Long Island native and former architecture student, will work in a group that supports American interests, including aerospace, defense, and manufacturing sectors. He was charged with manslaughter and criminally negligent homicide after a video of him killing Jordan Neely on the subway circulated online in May 2023.
The firm’s partner, David Ulevitch, said Penny would be taught “the business of investing” and support several portfolio companies. However, some have raised concerns about hiring someone with a history of violence, particularly given his acquittal on manslaughter charges.
Penny’s case drew widespread attention, with some praising him as a hero and others criticizing the district attorney for pursuing the case. The case ultimately ended in an acquittal due to a deadlocked jury.
Andreessen Horowitz has been involved in various high-profile controversies, including criticism from some of its employees about its support for President Trump’s policies.
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/02/04/nyregion/daniel-penny-hired-andreessen-horowitz.html