Judge refers Philadelphia DA Larry Krasner to federal prosecutors
A federal judge referred Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner to federal prosecutors Tuesday, finding that he and a senior assistant may have broken the law while trying to conceal how their office supported overturning a murder conviction.
TL;DR
- A federal judge referred Philadelphia DA Larry Krasner and Assistant DA Matthew Stiegler to federal prosecutors.
- The referral is for alleged lawbreaking while concealing the office's support for overturning a murder conviction.
- U.S. District Judge Paul Diamond found personal interests conflicted with prosecutorial duties.
- Potential offenses include false statements, perjury, obstruction of justice, and conspiracy.
- The judge disqualified Krasner and Stiegler from the case involving Dennis Johnson, who is seeking to overturn his murder conviction.
- The DA's office initially supported overturning the conviction but later sought to withdraw due to "material misstatements."
- Diamond found Stiegler proposed blaming a subordinate prosecutor alone for errors.
- Krasner allegedly urged supervisors to implement a false narrative to the court.
- Supervisors refused and suggested transferring the case; Krasner insisted on keeping it and threatened consequences for alerting the court.
- Krasner disputes the judge's findings and intends to appeal.
- This action occurs amidst ongoing criticism of Krasner's office for alleged soft-on-crime policies.