As reported by The Trace, Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner is facing fierce criticism after his office dropped domestic violence and kidnapping charges earlier this year against a man now accused of murdering 23-year-old former Miss Pennsylvania USA contestant, Kada Scott. The case, which surfaced weeks before the general election, has ignited public anger and political debate over Krasner’s leadership. At a tense press conference, Krasner admitted his office “could have done better,” as residents demand accountability for the tragic failure.
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Krasner Under Fire
Larry Krasner, Philadelphia’s progressive district attorney, appeared visibly shaken as he addressed reporters on 20 October. With his usual confidence replaced by a grim frown, he accepted partial blame for the fatal consequences of his office’s earlier decision to drop charges against Keon King. “The buck stops here; that is on me,” he said, adding that domestic violence cases are “tough situations” when defendants remain free. His hesitant defense reflected a rare vulnerability for the reformist DA, known nationally for championing criminal justice reform.
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The Murder of Kada Scott
Kada Scott, a 23-year-old former beauty pageant contestant and recent college graduate, went missing before her body was discovered in a shallow grave. The city medical examiner later confirmed she had been shot once in the head. Police charged 21-year-old Keon King in connection with her abduction and murder. The revelation that Krasner’s office had previously dropped charges against King only months before the killing sparked outrage across Philadelphia and reignited debates over prosecutorial leniency.
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Public Anger and Vigils
The murder has sent shockwaves through the community. At a vigil held at the Germantown school where Scott’s remains were found, over 100 mourners released white balloons and chanted her name. Catherine Daniel, 62, voiced frustration at the DA’s office: “The DA dropped the ball, because this guy should not have been walking the street.” Organizer Desiree Whitfield echoed the sentiment, asking, “What are you going to do differently so that our beautiful, Black, educated women are not found in shallow graves?”
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Political Fallout Ahead of Election
The timing of the controversy could not be worse for Krasner, who is seeking a third term in the 4 November general election against Republican challenger Patrick Dugan. Dugan, a retired judge, seized the moment, calling Krasner “a co-conspirator” in Scott’s murder. However, political observers believe the case may not derail Krasner’s campaign. “It’s easy to look back on mistakes like this and criticize,” said political analyst Larry Ceisler. “It’s not going to make a difference in the campaign.”
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Krasner’s Reform Legacy
Before entering politics, Krasner was a civil rights attorney who sued the Philadelphia Police Department over misconduct 75 times. Since taking office in 2018, he has pursued a reform agenda—reducing incarceration, limiting cash bail for nonviolent offenders, and prosecuting police misconduct. His policies have drawn sharp criticism from conservatives who label him “soft on crime,” but supporters credit him with reducing homicides dramatically since their 2021 peak of 562. By late October 2025, Philadelphia had recorded 190 homicides, a nearly 10% drop from the previous year.
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Divided Reactions Among Supporters
Despite the scandal, Krasner still enjoys strong backing from the city’s Democratic base. “He’s on the ballot, he’s our candidate, everybody is supporting him,” said Philadelphia Democratic Party Chair Bob Brady. “People like him; they think he’s doing a good job.” Criminal justice expert David Kennedy added that Krasner’s success lies in his active involvement in violence prevention programs, calling him “an important part of those partnerships.” Krasner insists voters prefer “outsiders and disrupters” like himself, comparing his appeal to figures such as Barack Obama and Bernie Sanders.
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The Blame Game Over Dropped Charges
The controversy traces back to January, when King allegedly kidnapped and assaulted his ex-girlfriend. Prosecutors withdrew the charges in May after the victim and a witness refused to cooperate. Krasner argued that a judge’s decision to grant King low bail may have intimidated the victim, discouraging her from testifying. He admitted his office could have proceeded without her cooperation, but claimed it was a “strategic decision” not to appeal the bail ruling overnight. However, court spokesperson Marty O’Rourke refuted Krasner’s reasoning, calling it “a sad attempt on his part to find a scapegoat for his own failings.” King now faces refilled charges in the earlier case and is scheduled for a preliminary hearing on 10 November.
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