Federal Judge Refers Philadelphia DA Larry Krasner to DOJ Over Alleged Obstruction in Murder Appeal

Key points

• Judge Diamond issued a 40-page memo referring Krasner and Matthew Stiegler to the U.S. Attorney's Office for potential criminal violations.
• The referral stems from the 2009 murder conviction of Dennis Johnson, which Krasner's office initially sought to overturn.
• Diamond alleged Krasner pressured prosecutors to present a 'false narrative' to the court and refused to refer the case to the state Attorney General.
• Krasner stated he 'vigorously disagrees' with the court's findings and intends to appeal the decision.
• The U.S. Attorney's Office declined to comment on the referral.

Background

This development follows months of scrutiny regarding Krasner's Conviction Integrity Unit. In June 2026, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court ordered the state Attorney General to review cases where Krasner's office sought to overturn convictions, citing concerns about prosecutors misleading judges. Krasner, a former civil rights attorney elected in 2017, has faced growing criticism for conceding cases without thorough investigation, leading to the release of over 60 convicted individuals since taking office.

How outlets are covering it

6abc and NBC10 reported the core facts of the referral, emphasizing Judge Diamond's conclusion that Krasner may have violated the law. NBC News highlighted the judge's specific allegations of obstruction of justice and criminal conspiracy. The Philadelphia Inquirer provided a more critical analysis, noting that Krasner's recent 47-page court filing blamed a subordinate, Jaclyn Mason, for errors while ignoring testimony from four supervisors who accused Krasner of threatening them and refusing to recuse himself. The Inquirer noted that Krasner's office has a history of conceding cases based on defense arguments rather than independent review, a pattern that has drawn criticism from state and federal judges.

Why it matters

The referral marks a significant escalation in the legal and political challenges facing Krasner, potentially impacting the integrity of Philadelphia's post-conviction review process. It raises questions about the independence of the District Attorney's Office and the boundaries of prosecutorial discretion in overturning convictions.

What to watch

The U.S. Attorney's Office will determine whether to open a formal criminal investigation. Krasner plans to appeal Judge Diamond's ruling to a higher court. The judge has not yet decided whether to remove the entire District Attorney's Office from the Dennis Johnson case or refer it to the state Attorney General.