U.S. District Judge Paul Diamond has referred Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner and Assistant District Attorney Matthew Stiegler for investigation, citing concerns that their conduct in a 2009 murder case may have violated the law. Diamond, a George W. Bush appointee, took the rare step of removing Krasner and Stiegler from further involvement in the case.
In a written decision, Diamond stated he reluctantly concluded that Philadelphia’s top law enforcement official and one of his senior assistants might have broken the law. The referral stems from allegations of a pressure campaign against employees within the District Attorney's office who had raised concerns about the handling of the murder case and Stiegler's conduct. Staffers reportedly faced potential "consequences" if they did not comply with directives. Diamond found that Krasner and Stiegler's actions could constitute perjury, obstruction of justice, making false statements under oath, and conspiracy.
The case in question involves Dennis Johnson, convicted in 2009 for the murder of Kenyatta Smith. In 2022, Krasner's office initiated a habeas corpus action seeking to overturn Johnson's conviction, arguing ineffective assistance of counsel. According to the notes, Krasner and Stiegler assigned then-Assistant District Attorney Jaclyn Mason to the habeas case, despite her background in patent and trademark law and lack of experience in criminal litigation.
The decision highlights a pattern of alleged misrepresentations by Krasner's office in efforts to secure Johnson's release. Internal dissent arose among prosecutors who felt the office had a conflict of interest and should not continue to handle the case. Krasner is accused of coercing prosecutors and allegedly encouraging false and obstructive behavior. Mason reportedly claimed she was made a scapegoat to shield Krasner and Stiegler.
Diamond also noted that Krasner referred to state lawyers involved in the case as "Nazis," a label he has frequently used for political adversaries. The judge's decision points to alleged victim Kenyatta Smith and others being disregarded by Krasner's actions, which critics argue fuel racial politics and a radical agenda.
Krasner, who was elected on a platform of reducing prosecution and incarceration for felons, has frequently characterized the criminal justice system as racist and oppressive. He has also made public statements vowing to arrest federal immigration officials. His office's campaign slogan in 2025 was reportedly "F— around and find out," which the article suggests was directed at federal officers rather than criminals.
This development follows a previous rebuke from the Pennsylvania Supreme Court in June, which issued a scathing opinion finding a pattern of misleading and deceptive filings by Krasner's office aimed at undermining criminal cases, particularly those involving murderers and other convicts. Krasner responded at the time by accusing the Court of attacking voting rights in Philadelphia and defending his staff's actions as furthering racial justice.
Jonathan Turley, a law professor and author, suggested that Krasner's approach has exhausted the patience of the courts and alienated staff, potentially leading to legal repercussions for his alleged efforts to undermine criminal cases and the justice system itself.