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! PA adopted legislation (signed by Dem governor) to transfer some of the Philly DA's powers to the AG for 2 years, in an apparent effort to counter Larry Krasner's reform politics. theintercept.com/2019/07/08/da-…
Bill enables Philly police to work directly with AG, cut out Krasner.
Bill enables Philly police to work directly with AG, cut out Krasner.
The Intercept reports that some Dems who voted for the law are saying that they were "duped into voting" for this provision (which singles out Philadelphia and only Philadelphia); it was added to a later version of bill.
Say what you want about what you think DAs should or shouldn't do. Bottom line: DA have long exercised massive discretion in ways that grew mass incarceration. Now a few DAs are using discretion differently, & only now are state lawmakers weakening them — see TX, MA, PA, FL.
Death penalty disproportionately sought against black defendants. That speaks (in part) to DA discretion.
As soon as Aramis Ayala (FL's 1st black prosecutor) announced she'd use discretion differently in Orlando & never seek the death penalty, Rick Scott stripped her of powers.
As soon as Aramis Ayala (FL's 1st black prosecutor) announced she'd use discretion differently in Orlando & never seek the death penalty, Rick Scott stripped her of powers.
AG responds: (1) Says he sought jurisdiction in all state, not to target Philly. (2) Says won't "act unilaterally or go around DA Krasner." (3) You judge if final vow questions Krasner's probation/diversion use, which drove GOP sponsor quoted in article.
New: The Philadelphia Inquirer rips into Pennsylvania's new law as an "assault on Krasner's discretion" and "an assault on Philadelphia's sovereignty" inquirer.com/opinion/editor…
