A Marine veteran who used a chokehold on an agitated subway driver was acquitted Monday in a death that sparked differing views on public safety, bravery and vigilantism. A Manhattan jury returned the verdict, acquitting Daniel Penny of involuntary manslaughter in Jordan Neely’s death last year. A more serious charge of involuntary manslaughter was dismissed earlier in deliberations because the jury was deadlocked on the matter. Both charges were felonies and carried the possibility of prison time. Penny, 26, held Jordan Neely in a chokehold around the other subway train’s neck for about six minutes. The passengers were partially captured on video. Penny’s lawyers said he was protecting himself and other subway passengers from a volatile, mentally ill man who made disturbing comments and gestures. The defense also disputed a city medical examiner’s finding that the chokehold killed Neely. Prosecutors said Penny reacted far too violently to someone he viewed as a threat rather than a person. The case exacerbated many American fault lines, including race, politics, crime, urban life, mental illness and homelessness. Neely was black. Penny is white. There were sometimes dueling demonstrations outside the courthouse, and senior Republican politicians portrayed Penny as a hero, while prominent Democrats attended Neely’s funeral.