Philadelphia Inquirer — Prosecutors — Galsworthy Criminal Justice Reform Program

North Philly man cleared of murder after 27 years in prison, the 10th exoneration under DA Larry Krasner

“Sworn in on a promise to transform the District Attorney’s Office, Krasner last year expanded his Conviction Integrity Unit and broadened its ambitions. He also appointed Patricia Cummings, formerly based in Texas, to lead the unit that examines inmates’ claims of wrongful convictions. Cummings said that in 22 months, the unit has reviewed requests involving about 200 cases, most of which prosecutors have left intact. Still, Krasner said that 10 exonerations means that investigators determined 5% of those cases were marred by fundamental errors.“

Philadelphia Inquirer

October 9, 2019

DA Krasner should take a page from Reagan’s playbook: Cut budgets to enshrine your legacy | Opinion

“As long as a progressive is at the helm, having a strong District’s Attorney’s Office can be a positive. But power also can be taken away. If a tough-on-crime prosecutor manages to claim power, a slashed budget from Krasner would land that person in a DA’s Office that we can drown in the bathtub.“

Philadelphia Inquirer

April 29, 2019

ProsecutorsPhillip ReevesApril 29, 2019Philadelphia Inquirer, Philadelphia, Larry KrasnerComment

Five takeaways from Philly DA Larry Krasner’s 2019 budget hearing

“Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner testified before City Council on Wednesday as part of the city’s annual budget hearings. In addition to asking for funding for the next fiscal year, Krasner’s testimony served as a venue for him to share what he described as some early returns from his first year in office, including efforts to reduce reliance on incarceration and supervision, diversify his staff, and change the makeup of certain units in the office. Here are five highlights.“

Philadelphia Inquirer

April 24, 2019

ProsecutorsPhillip ReevesApril 24, 2019Philadelphia, Philadelphia Inquirer, Larry KrasnerComment

Philly DA Larry Krasner: We took on mass incarceration. Now we’re addressing mass supervision.

“‘I think people instinctively believed too much supervision is not enough. But it turns out too much supervision is too much. ... It does tremendous harm, and it costs a fortune,’ Krasner said in an interview outlining policies to be announced Thursday. Nationally, about 40 percent of people on probation are reincarcerated, making community supervision a major driver of incarceration. About 40 percent of Philadelphia’s jail population is being held on a detainer for a violation of probation or parole.“

Philadelphia Inquirer

March 21, 2019

Sentencing, State ReformsPhillip ReevesMarch 21, 2019Philadelphia Inquirer, Philadelphia, Larry KrasnerComment

Larry Krasner’s first year as Philly DA: Staff turnover, fewer cases, plenty of controversy

“In public remarks, policy changes, and staffing decisions, Krasner, who campaigned on a pledge to curb mass incarceration, has sought to remake the culture of his agency, if not the system at large. He has personally led a national recruiting effort and turned over almost 30 percent of the office’s staff, while unveiling directives that rethink charging decisions, bail requests, and sentencing recommendations.“

Philadelphia Inquirer

January 6, 2019

State ReformsPhillip ReevesJanuary 6, 2019Philadelphia Inquirer, Philadelphia, Larry KrasnerComment

Larry Krasner moves Philadelphia beyond ‘eye-for-an-eye’ on murder | Opinion

“Breaking with long-held tradition, Krasner is no longer seeking to charge any killing that happens in the city with the highest possible charge — first-degree murder that carries a sentence of life without parole or death. Instead, Krasner intends to use the full spectrum of murder charges.“

Philadelphia Inquirer

November 20, 2018

SentencingPhillip ReevesNovember 20, 2018Philadelphia Inquirer, Philadelphia, Larry KrasnerComment

Sisters begged the Board of Pardons to free their brother's killer. The board said 'no'

"When Datesman was convicted in 1983, Pennsylvania governors were still commuting dozens of life sentences. But in subsequent decades, the process all but ground to a halt in part as a reaction to the violent crime spree of Reginald McFadden, a commuted juvenile lifer, in 1994."

Philadelphia Inquirer

June 28, 2018

ProsecutorsAnthony BradleyJuly 29, 2018Philadelphia Inquirer, Pardons, Life Sentence

Why is mass incarceration moving to the suburbs?

"“District attorneys in rural and suburban areas tend to be much more punitively oriented, … with harsh, tough-on-crime rhetoric, and a lot of that follows from the attitude of the people that live in those areas,” Bucklen said. “They’re responding to the people that elected them.”"

Philadelphia Inquirer

June 26, 2018

Prosecutors

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