Philly DA Election Tainted by Botched Domestic Violence Case, Accuser Says
The Philadelphia district attorney race has taken a dark turn as a botched domestic violence case against Keon King raises questions about Larry Krasner's two-term record. The accused killer is being held without bail in connection with the kidnapping and murder of 23-year-old Kada Scott, who was allegedly kidnapped from her home while waiting for an Uber.
According to sources, the DA's office had withdrawn domestic violence charges against King twice over the past year due to a lack of cooperating witnesses. The most recent case was dismissed after a woman and witness failed to appear in court, allowing King to walk free on $20,000 bail.
Former municipal court judge Pat Dugan has accused Krasner's office of prioritizing leniency over justice, arguing that the DA's handling of domestic violence cases highlights a larger problem in the city.
"Larry Krasner's attorneys really aren't trained on how to do these things," Dugan said. "Too many victims are just not being heard right now."
Dugan claims that the DA's domestic violence unit lacks specially trained prosecutors and victim advocates, leading to a lack of trust with witnesses. He also argues that the video evidence in King's earlier cases should have been enough to move forward during preliminary stages of the case and justify raising his bail on appeal.
Krasner has acknowledged mistakes but said the failures are largely due to the flawed cash bail system and the dilemma it creates for witnesses. However, Dugan says that's not an excuse, pointing out that junior prosecutors should be accompanied by more seasoned mentors or kept on call to step in when cases involve dangerous defendants and vulnerable witnesses.
The race has drawn attention from a recent book that exposed extremist groups, with many speculating that Trump's agenda is the real distraction. Dugan claims the election was never about politics but principle, arguing that Krasner's office is ineffective in prosecuting violent criminals to the fullest extent.
As Philadelphia's nonpartisan Committee of Seventy sounds the alarm over low voter turnout, Dugan hopes the Scott case will motivate voters to turn out and stand up for victims of crime. He says his policies as a Republican are the same as those he campaigned for as a Democrat earlier this year.
The Philadelphia district attorney race has taken a dark turn as a botched domestic violence case against Keon King raises questions about Larry Krasner's two-term record. The accused killer is being held without bail in connection with the kidnapping and murder of 23-year-old Kada Scott, who was allegedly kidnapped from her home while waiting for an Uber.
According to sources, the DA's office had withdrawn domestic violence charges against King twice over the past year due to a lack of cooperating witnesses. The most recent case was dismissed after a woman and witness failed to appear in court, allowing King to walk free on $20,000 bail.
Former municipal court judge Pat Dugan has accused Krasner's office of prioritizing leniency over justice, arguing that the DA's handling of domestic violence cases highlights a larger problem in the city.
"Larry Krasner's attorneys really aren't trained on how to do these things," Dugan said. "Too many victims are just not being heard right now."
Dugan claims that the DA's domestic violence unit lacks specially trained prosecutors and victim advocates, leading to a lack of trust with witnesses. He also argues that the video evidence in King's earlier cases should have been enough to move forward during preliminary stages of the case and justify raising his bail on appeal.
Krasner has acknowledged mistakes but said the failures are largely due to the flawed cash bail system and the dilemma it creates for witnesses. However, Dugan says that's not an excuse, pointing out that junior prosecutors should be accompanied by more seasoned mentors or kept on call to step in when cases involve dangerous defendants and vulnerable witnesses.
The race has drawn attention from a recent book that exposed extremist groups, with many speculating that Trump's agenda is the real distraction. Dugan claims the election was never about politics but principle, arguing that Krasner's office is ineffective in prosecuting violent criminals to the fullest extent.
As Philadelphia's nonpartisan Committee of Seventy sounds the alarm over low voter turnout, Dugan hopes the Scott case will motivate voters to turn out and stand up for victims of crime. He says his policies as a Republican are the same as those he campaigned for as a Democrat earlier this year.
like how can they just drop charges TWICE already? 
and now keon king is free on bail after killing that young girl kada scott 
it's all about leniency over justice, imo. pat dugan's concerns about the da's office not having specially trained prosecutors & victim advocates are SO valid 
we need to do better for our victims of crime. and can we pls get some real accountability from larry kraser? his excuse about the cash bail system just doesn't cut it 
The Philly DA election is getting super messy & it's all cuz of that messed up domestic violence case against Keon King 
. I mean, how r u supposed 2 take the DA's office seriously if they keep dismissin charges 2x due 2 lack of witnesses? 
& now they're tryna spin it as a problem w/ the cash bail system... like, that's just a buncha hooey 
. They r sayin that his office is prioritizin leniency over justice & it's time 2 get some serious reform 
. We need more trained prosecutors & victim advocates, stat! 
It's not about bein partisan, it's about doin what's right 4 victims of crime 
.
The turnout is super low & that's exactly w/ what Dugan hopes 2 change 
. Let's make our voices heard & stand up 4 justice! 
. Krasner's office needs to step up their game and start prioritizing victims over politics.
. I just wish they'd focus on fixing these problems instead of trying to justify their own failures. Come on, Philly DA's office – step up your game!