Courts & Law
![Asked if his run for DA was a vendetta for being fired, Vega vigorously denied the idea. He had never before wanted to run for office, the former homicide prosecutor said, but the escalating murder rate in the city drove him into the political ring. “I see the numbers of murders that have been happening since [Krasner] took office. Just this past year, 499 murders,” Vega said. “As a father, a single dad, a person of color — we suffer the most. I decided to run for office.” Krasner countered that the rise in gun violence is not related to his policy reforms. “In 50 major U.S. cities last year the increase in gun violence was 42%. The increase in Philly is 40%, which is terrible, but what is happening is not unique to Philly,” Krasner said. “The FOP and their candidate — my opponent — are weaponizing a national tragedy.” Other issues got little air time, and there was little difference in the candidates’ responses. Each tread similar ground when asked about the opioid crisis in the Kensington neighborhood, saying aggressive prosecution of those living with addiction should be a low priority, with the city instead offering social services and diversionary programs to avoid criminal proceedings and jail time. Krasner also said his office has been working with the FBI on wiretapping investigations to identify and arrest major dealers and those involved in drug trafficking, though he declined to elaborate.](https://whyy.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/krasner-vega-1-360x280.jpg "krasner-vega")
Final Philly DA debate: Vega touts putting police in prison, Krasner says opponent lied in court
The two Democratic candidates for district attorney traded jabs and accusations during a live broadcast on WURD, Philly’s only Black-owned radio station.
23 hours ago
Diversity, residency requirements top issues at Philly police budget hearing
Mayor Jim Kenney’s proposed budget would flat-fund the department at $727 million.
24 hours ago
Can COVID concerns get me out of jury duty? Can the courts legally ask if I’m vaccinated?
Morning Edition host Jennifer Lynn speaks with attorney Joe Oxman about the pandemic’s effect on the legal system as Philly begins to reintroduce jury trials.
1 day ago
Listen 4:29
Suit: Workers lured to N.J. from India paid $1.20 per hour for years
The lawsuit filed in federal court accuses the leaders of the organization known as BAPS of human trafficking and wage law violations.
1 day ago
NPR
Judge dismisses NRA bankruptcy case, heightening risk for dissolution of group
A federal judge threw out the NRA's bid to declare bankruptcy, allowing New York to proceed in its effort to dissolve the gun rights group for alleged "fraud and abuse."
2 days ago
Prosecutor plans to seek death penalty in Atlanta spa shootings
Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis also filed notice that she intends to seek hate crime charges and the death penalty against Robert Aaron Long, who is white.
2 days ago
NJ paying $1.3M to consultant to advise on women’s prison
N.J. taxpayers are on the hook for about $1.3 million dollars in fees to a criminal justice consultant to help the Department of Corrections amid a criminal investigation.
5 days ago
Philly has a new mobile unit to help combat surge in gun violence
The Department of Justice has loaned the NIBIN Mobile Unit to Philadelphia for at least three months.
6 days ago
Philly Sheriff’s top lawyer retires after illegal contract revelation
Sheriff Rochelle Bilal is saying goodbye to the undersheriff a week after PlanPhilly reported on an illegal contract with an online auction company.
6 days ago
4 ex-cops indicted on US civil rights charges in Floyd death
All four officers are charged for their failure to provide Floyd with medical care. Chauvin was also charged in a second indictment, stemming from the arrest of a 14-year-old.
6 days ago
Spotlight PA
The ability to charge fines or fees could weed out bad actors and prevent ongoing harm, experts say, but there's already pushback from the provider industry.
6 days ago
Philly’s police union and diversity top issues at DA candidate forum
The forum, hosted by the Omega Omega Chapter of the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, also touched on the city’s gun violence epidemic.
7 days ago
Vega signals he could sue Krasner, activist Shaun King for libel and slander
Vega’s attorney said the forthcoming lawsuit is tied to a string of “untruths” King has posted about him on social media.
7 days ago
New push to help Delaware renters get legal counsel in eviction hearings
While most landlords in Delaware have lawyers, just 2% of renters have any legal counsel when being evicted. Some state lawmakers want to change that.
7 days ago
Mom’s comment may have led to N.J. man’s Capitol breach arrest
Robert Lee Petrosh of Mays Landing was charged with disorderly conduct in a restricted building and other offenses.
1 week ago