DOJ subpoenas Larry Krasner over murder case, Townhall reports
Townhall reports that the Justice Department subpoenaed Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner in connection with a 2009 murder case. The subpoena’s scope is unclear; prior federal proceedings included unproven allegations of pressure on prosecutors.
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Key facts
- Townhall says the subpoenas stem from a 2009 murder case and alleges Krasner and one of his top deputies forced prosecutors to lie about the case (per townhall.com).
- Townhall says Krasner received a criminal referral in September, while Fox News’s headline describes the subpoenas as following a judge’s referral (per townhall.com, Fox News).
- Townhall says Krasner has vowed to appeal (per townhall.com).
- Cully Stimson, identified by Townhall as a legal fellow with the Heritage Foundation, said he viewed the referral as potentially part of a wider matter and referred to Stiegler as one of Krasner’s associates (per townhall.com).
The brief
The Justice Department sent grand jury subpoenas to Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner in connection with a murder case, Townhall reported. The outlet says the matter stems from a case dating to 2009 and alleges that Krasner and one of his top deputies forced prosecutors to lie. Those allegations are not presented as a court finding of wrongdoing by Krasner.
Townhall reports that U.S. District Judge Paul Diamond issued a 40-page memo after testimony in his court raised concerns that Krasner and a supervisor may have pressured prosecutors to lie. Fox News’s headline also describes the subpoenas as following a judge’s referral, while the Patriot TV headline says a judge flagged possible obstruction.
The National News Desk headline confirms subpoenas to Krasner’s office but does not specify their type. The case involves Johnson, whom Townhall says received a life sentence for the 2007 murder of Kenyatta Smith during a robbery at a North Philadelphia convenience store.
Townhall links the subpoenas to a separate 2009 murder case, but its excerpt does not explain the relationship between that case and Johnson’s conviction beyond presenting them together. Townhall says Krasner received a criminal referral in September. The excerpt does not give the year for that September.
Fox News’s headline characterizes the referral as coming from a judge, while Townhall says Krasner was “slapped with a criminal referral” and separately identifies Diamond’s memo as raising concerns about possible pressure on prosecutors. The Justice Department declined to comment, according to Townhall.
The outlet also reports that Krasner has vowed to appeal, without specifying what ruling or action he plans to challenge. The headlines do not add details about the appeal. Cully Stimson, whom Townhall identifies as a legal fellow with the Heritage Foundation, said he believed the referral could be part of a wider matter.
He pointed to a reference to Stiegler in the judge’s opinion and called Stiegler one of Krasner’s associates. Townhall also says Krasner was elected in 2017 and received $1.5 million from Soros for his first campaign; it gives no further detail about that funding. The account does not identify what the subpoenas seek or describe any charges against Krasner.
Why it matters
- The subpoenas bring federal scrutiny to how Philadelphia prosecutors handled a 2009 murder case, putting Krasner and his office’s conduct—not just the original prosecution—under examination; the allegations remain unproven. Any resulting investigation or court action could affect prosecutors involved and defendants whose cases rely on the office’s practices, while Krasner’s planned appeal may shape how the dispute proceeds.
What to watch next
- Whether Krasner pursues the appeal he has vowed to make.
- Whether the Justice Department comments on the subpoenas after declining to comment, as Townhall reports.
- What the grand jury subpoenas seek, a detail not specified in the accounts.
How it's being covered
Coverage analysisShow details4 source articles · 4 unique outletsOutlet political mix: Mostly Right· 1 Center · 2 Right · 1 unratedWhere the outlets are based: US/Canada 50% · Global 25% · Other 25%
How outlets' accounts compare
Timeline
Developments from this story's sources, dated background we compiled and fact-checked, and our earlier coverage. Each row says which.- Philadelphia prosecutors handled the murder case later scrutinized in federal proceedings involving Larry Krasner’s office.Background · compiled and fact-checked by Updat3
- He campaigned as a reform candidate and defeated incumbent Seth Williams, who had pleaded guilty to federal corruption charges in June 2017.Background · from our historical context
- Larry Krasner was elected Philadelphia district attorney after campaigning as a reform candidate.Background · compiled and fact-checked by Updat3
- Krasner took office as Philadelphia district attorney.Background · compiled and fact-checked by Updat3
- Krasner won re-election as Philadelphia district attorney.Background · compiled and fact-checked by Updat3
How we got here
Before the subpoenas, U.S. District Judge Paul Diamond’s review of testimony in federal court produced a 40-page memorandum questioning whether Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner and a supervisor had pressured prosecutors to lie.
The underlying dispute concerned a 2009 murder case; the allegations about prosecutorial conduct were claims raised in the federal proceedings, not findings established here. Krasner’s authority derives from the office of district attorney, an elected county-level prosecutor’s post established under Pennsylvania’s Constitution.
Original sources
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