NAACP and Abraham at odds over interim DA competition

The head of a Philadelphia Civil Rights group is asking a candidate to be interim District Attorney to drop out of consideration. Her reply is “no way!”

Minister Rodney Muhammad, head of the Philadelphia branch of the NAACP says Lynne Abraham is the wrong person to become District Attorney of Philadelphia even if it is just for six months.  He says she should withdraw her name from consideration to fill out the rest of Seth Williams’ term.

“Rather than fighting crime she has worked to criminalize a social group of people and that is not in line  that is not in line with the criminal justice reform that the NAACP along with many others in this city want to see  for the city of Philadelphia,” he said.

Abraham says she is not withdrawing her name and criticized Mohammad for not speaking up about the crime and violence in Philadelphia.

“He’s been asleep at the wheel for so long I was surprised he was finally was awakened by something,” she said. “It’s good that he’s awake, maybe he will pay attention to the important things in life.”

The board of judges is scheduled to pick an interim DA this week.

Williams resigned his post after pleading guilty last month to corruption.  The surprise plea came in the middle of his trial in federal court.  He had previously announced he would not seek another term as DA while fighting the criminal charges.  

Williams is scheduled to be sentenced in October, but the judge revoked his bail, so he waits behind bars to find out his fate.  He could get up to five years in prison.

Larry Krasner is the favorite to win the DA’s office in the November election.  He beat a crowded field in the May Democratic primary.  He faces Republican Beth Grossman in that contest, but since there are seven times as many Democrats as Republicans in Philadelphia, traditionally the Democratic nominee cruises to an easy victory.