Criminal Justice
Backlog of 1,500 jury trials for Delaware courts as 14-month pandemic break ends
Delaware's courts will start the long slog through a backlog of hundreds of criminal cases starting next week. The pandemic has halted jury trials since March 2020.
5 years ago
Judge upholds Penn St. ex-president Spanier’s jail sentence
The judge ordered Graham Spanier to begin serving at least two months at the county jail on July 9 for a misdemeanor conviction of endangering the welfare of children.
5 years ago
Third victim dies, second suspect arrested in South Jersey mass shooting
A 19-year-old woman died from injuries sustained from Saturday’s mass shooting in Fairfield Township. A second suspect has been arrested.
5 years ago
Changes to Delaware’s ‘use-of-force’ law part of criminal justice reform push
A trio of bills introduced on the anniversary of George Floyd’s murder are designed to make it easier to hold Delaware police accountable.
5 years ago
Police Reimagined: One Year Later
One year after George Floyd’s murder and the ensuing uprisings, we revisit the conversation around reforming and defunding the police. ...
5 years ago
The Movement for Black and Brown Lives in Montgomery County is bringing state Pardons Board Secretary Brandon Flood to Norristown next month.
5 years ago
Delaware Gov. John Carney wants criminal justice reform to focus on use-of-force
Delaware Gov. John Carney talked about efforts to implement police reforms in Delaware as part of an hourlong radio interview produced by WHYY and Delaware Public Media.
5 years ago
Listen 59:02
Minnesota AG’s office to prosecute case in Wright’s death
Former Brooklyn Center Officer Kim Potter, who is white, fatally shot Daunte Wright, a 20-year-old Black motorist, on April 11.
5 years ago
Pa. Supreme Court to hear latest Abu-Jamal case filings
The latest appeal filed by Mumia Abu-Jamal and a related suit brought by the widow of Officer Daniel Faulkner will now go before Pennsylvania's Supreme Court.
5 years ago
District attorney diverting youth from the juvenile justice system into arts classes
The Philly District Attorney’s office has begun diverting young people into an after-school arts program for a chance to expunge their records.
5 years ago
Billy Penn
DA Larry Krasner beats Carlos Vega in heated Democratic primary
The win is seen as a boost for the district attorney’s progressive policies and the criminal justice reform movement nationwide.
5 years ago
Following abuse allegations, Delco to create oversight board to lead juvenile detention center
With an investigation pending and the potential for litigation, the county is hoping to correct its past by establishing a board to oversee its detention center.
5 years ago
The DA primary race: Carlos Vega
As Tuesday's primary election draws closer, we continue our conversation about the race for District Attorney with Carlos Vega.
Air Date: May 13, 2021
Listen 49:44![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.
5 years 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.
5 years ago
Listen 4:29