In March, a jury in Allegheny County acquitted police officer Michael Rosfeld of the murder of 17-year-old Antwon Rose.
Allegheny County (which covers Pittsburgh) is known for police brutality and prosecutorial misconduct. Tomorrow, its DA Stephen Zappala is up for re-election.
Allegheny County (which covers Pittsburgh) is known for police brutality and prosecutorial misconduct. Tomorrow, its DA Stephen Zappala is up for re-election.
There is stark racism in Zappala's prosecution of cases.
In 2016 and 2017, despite making up 20% of the population, more than 80% of children charged as adults in Allegheny County were Black, and 100% of children sentenced to jail or prison were Black.
theappeal.org/in-pennsylvani…
In 2016 and 2017, despite making up 20% of the population, more than 80% of children charged as adults in Allegheny County were Black, and 100% of children sentenced to jail or prison were Black.
theappeal.org/in-pennsylvani…
In the 20 years that Zappala has been DA, he has brought no charges in 18 of 22 police homicides.
post-gazette.com/news/crime-cou…
post-gazette.com/news/crime-cou…
This will be the first time since 1999 that Zappala does not run unopposed. His challenger, Lisa Middleman, is a public defender, running as an independent, Zappala having won both the Republican and Democratic nominations. @taniel interviews her here.
appealpolitics.org/2019/lisa-midd…
appealpolitics.org/2019/lisa-midd…
@Taniel Tbh the chances of Zappala being ousted in Allegheny County tomorrow are slim, but it's because of cases like Antwon Rose's that we need to be following DA races and making sure that corrupt and racist prosecutors like him don't stay in power for another 20 years
