Daniel Penny, who put the man, Jordan Neely, in a chokehold last year, told investigators that Mr. Neely posed a deadly threat. The killing polarized New York.

Jury selection has begun in the criminal trial of the U.S. Marine Corps veteran who placed a man in a deadly chokehold aboard a New York City subway train last year.

The Manhattan DA’s office declined to comment on their legal strategy for trial. One of Penny’s attorneys, Steve Raiser, said in a text message that their case will focus on the government’s failure to address mental health and homelessness on the subway.

Daniel Penny is charged with manslaughter for placing a man in a deadly chokehold on a New York City subway train last year.

The video of a former U.S. Marine putting a chokehold on another man until he died will play a vital role for both the prosecution and defense. Jury selection started Monday in the trial of Daniel Penny,

He faces up to 15 years in prison if convicted of second-degree manslaughter and up to four years if convicted of criminally negligent homicide.

Jury selection began Monday in the criminal trial of the U.S. Marine Corps veteran charged with manslaughter for placing a man in a deadly chokehold on a New York City subway train last year.