Criminals 'Think They Can Literally Get Away With Murder' Because Of Philadelphia DA's Policies, Feds Claim
Follow CBSPHILLY Facebook | Twitter
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- The feds stepped in Thursday, filing charges in a case prosecuted by Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner. They said the plea deal he offered was too lenient, and that his policies are leading to a more violent Philadelphia.
It began with a press conference Thursday afternoon, where U.S. Attorney William McSwain blamed the city's rising homicide rate on Krasner's policies. The DA responded hours later.
"The policies that his office is pursuing is dangerous to Philadelphia," McSwain said. "This is not a personal thing, this is a policy thing. I think that the policies are leading to a rise in the violent crime."
"What is not called science is claiming it's 'common sense' that if homicides go up, then they were caused by the district attorney," Krasner responded.
This debate, all over the charges Krasner filed against a West Philadelphia AK-47 gunman who received, what McSwain says, is a lenient plea deal.
Man Charged In Shooting That Critically Injured Deli Owner In Cobbs Creek
Jovaun Patterson shot and nearly killed Mike Poeng, a store owner, on May 5 of last year. After his arrest, the DA reduced many of the charges.
"Dropped the attempted murder charge, both gun charges, the simple assault charge and the recklessly endangering charge," McSwain said.
Patterson was sentenced to between three-and-a-half and 10 years in state prison.
McSwain announced his office is bringing federal charges, after he said the plea was lenient and the victim was never consulted by Krasner's office.
"In violation of the PA Crimes Victim Act, the DA's office told Mike Peong nothing of this deal," McSwain said.
"That is wrong, it should not have been. It's ultimately my responsibility, which I have accepted from the beginning and I accept now," Krasner said.
In Thursday's press conference, McSwain blamed Krasner's sentencing policies for Philadelphia's increased homicide rate.
"Violent criminals take notice of all of that," McSwain said. "They've become emboldened, they think they can literally get away with murder."
Teen Accused Of Shooting Classmate During Alleged Drug Deal In Court For Preliminary Hearing
But Krasner shot back.
He says McSwain's accusations are politically motivated and defended his stance on prosecuting criminals.
"He embraces the philosophy of the war on drugs, which has failed," Krasner said. "He has embraced the philosophy of mass incarceration, which has been disastrous and we go a very different direction."
Despite the philosophical differences, both men say they will continue to work together.