Did Larry Krasner Pressure Staff to Mislead a Federal Judge About a Murder-Conviction Appeal?
A federal judge found Philadelphia DA Larry Krasner and a top aide may have pressured staff to mislead the court over a 2022 murder-case concession, referring both to federal prosecutors. Krasner disputes the findings and plans to appeal.
Claim in dispute
Krasner and Stiegler pressured Conviction Integrity Unit prosecutors to blame a departed colleague for errors and to present a false narrative to the court about the DAO's internal handling of Dennis Johnson's habeas petition -- conduct that "is tantamount to a prima facie showing" of false statements, false declarations under oath, perjury, obstruction of justice, and conspiracy.
Case period:
Published by The Dispute Index editorial teamPublished Updated
Overview
The dispute traces to Dennis Johnson v. Nickelson, a federal habeas corpus petition challenging Johnson's 2009 Philadelphia murder conviction. In November 2022, the DAO conceded habeas relief was warranted. In 2026, an internal DAO conflict arose over that concession: ADA Jaclyn Mason, who drafted it, resigned in June 2026, and a group of prosecutors moved to withdraw it. The Pennsylvania Attorney General's office separately urged Judge Diamond to disqualify Krasner and the DAO. The U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania has not confirmed whether it will act on the referral.
Timeline
3 timeline entries on this page. Dates: November 4, 2022 to September 16, 2026
November 2022
1 event
DAO concedes Dennis Johnson's habeas petition warrants relief
Incident
The Philadelphia DAO filed a brief conceding that Dennis Johnson's habeas corpus petition warranted relief.
[01]Memorandum, Johnson v. Nickelson, No. 2:15-cv-04965-PD (E.D. Pa. Sept. 15, 2026)
Source excerpt
I have thus reluctantly concluded that Philadelphia's highest law enforcement official and one of his top assistants may have violated the law... I am compelled, with the issuance of this Memorandum, to refer the DAO, Mr. Krasner, and Stiegler to this District's United States Attorney's Office for investigation and other appropriate action.
Memorandum of U.S. District Judge Paul S. Diamond in Johnson v. Nickelson, No. 2:15-cv-04965-PD (E.D. Pa.), filed September 15, 2026, disqualifying Krasner and Stiegler and referring them and the DAO to the U.S. Attorney's Office. Obtained via CourtListener/RECAP.
Memorandum, Johnson v. Nickelson, No. 2:15-cv-04965-PD (E.D. Pa. Sept. 15, 2026)Doc. 173, pp. 1, 17, 36-39
1411 days between recorded events
September 2026
2 events
Judge Diamond disqualifies Krasner and Stiegler, refers DAO to DOJ
Incident
Judge Diamond disqualified Krasner and Stiegler from the case and referred them and the DAO to the U.S. Attorney's Office for investigation.
[01]Memorandum, Johnson v. Nickelson, No. 2:15-cv-04965-PD (E.D. Pa. Sept. 15, 2026)
Source excerpt
I have thus reluctantly concluded that Philadelphia's highest law enforcement official and one of his top assistants may have violated the law... I am compelled, with the issuance of this Memorandum, to refer the DAO, Mr. Krasner, and Stiegler to this District's United States Attorney's Office for investigation and other appropriate action.
Memorandum of U.S. District Judge Paul S. Diamond in Johnson v. Nickelson, No. 2:15-cv-04965-PD (E.D. Pa.), filed September 15, 2026, disqualifying Krasner and Stiegler and referring them and the DAO to the U.S. Attorney's Office. Obtained via CourtListener/RECAP.
Memorandum, Johnson v. Nickelson, No. 2:15-cv-04965-PD (E.D. Pa. Sept. 15, 2026)Doc. 173, pp. 1, 17, 36-39U.S. Attorney's Office declines to comment on referral
Reaction
The U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania declined to comment on whether it would act on the referral.
[02]Federal judge refers DA Krasner for possible prosecution
WHYY (Philadelphia public radio) report confirming the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania declined to comment on the referral.
Claims
Claims separate what was said from what is contested. Follow each source for the original wording and context.
What's disputed
Disputed claim
Krasner and Stiegler pressured Conviction Integrity Unit prosecutors to blame a departed colleague for errors and to present a false narrative to the court about the DAO's internal handling of Dennis Johnson's habeas petition -- conduct that "is tantamount to a prima facie showing" of false statements, false declarations under oath, perjury, obstruction of justice, and conspiracy.
Sources (1)
- Memorandum, Johnson v. Nickelson, No. 2:15-cv-04965-PD (E.D. Pa. Sept. 15, 2026)Doc. 173, pp. 1, 17, 36-39
Response record
Responses
Latest recorded positions: 3. Dates: September 15, 2026 to September 16, 2026
Choose one response filter, or select All responses to see the full record.
2 responses on this page
Robert Saleem Holbrook "This is unfortunately a continuation of the right's assault on DA Krasner and the policies that he's implemented. This is a judge using an internal conflict in the office to further the objective of removing Krasner from office."
Open source (opens in a new tab)Philly DA Larry Krasner faces legal and political uncertainty after a judge said he may have committed crimesChallenged the characterizationCase context: Did Larry Krasner Pressure Staff to Mislead a Federal Judge About a Murder-Conviction Appeal?
Why this label?
Holbrook does not dispute the specific facts found by Judge Diamond, but reframes the referral itself as a politically motivated continuation of efforts to remove Krasner rather than a neutral legal action -- disputing the characterization of the referral's motivation rather than defending the underlying conduct or denying it outright.
This label describes the statement’s response within the context above.
Read context and background
Robert Saleem Holbrook said the referral is a politically motivated continuation of efforts to remove Krasner.
Role at the time: Executive director, Straight Ahead
Before the statement
Said to Philadelphia Inquirer reporters after Judge Diamond's September 15, 2026 referral became public.
After the statement
Holbrook heads both Straight Ahead and the Abolitionist Law Center.
Larry KrasnerDirectly involved "I respectfully and vigorously disagree with the court's findings of fact and conclusions of law. I look forward to appealing to the higher court as soon as the law allows. This remains a pending matter, which limits for now my and my office's ability to respond in the media."
Open source (opens in a new tab)A federal judge said he believes DA Larry Krasner may have broken the law and is referring him to prosecutorsChallenged the characterizationResponding to: Krasner and Stiegler pressured Conviction Integrity Unit prosecutors to blame a departed colleague for errors and to present a false narrative to the court about the DAO's internal handling of Dennis Johnson's habeas petition -- conduct that "is tantamount to a prima facie showing" of false statements, false declarations under oath, perjury, obstruction of justice, and conspiracy.
Why this label?
Krasner disputes Judge Diamond's findings of fact and legal conclusions wholesale, without admitting the underlying conduct occurred -- disputing the characterization of his and Stiegler's conduct rather than defending it as justified or excusable, or conceding any part of it.
This label describes the statement’s response within the context above.
Read context and background
Larry Krasner said he disagrees with Judge Diamond's findings and plans to appeal.
Role at the time: District Attorney of Philadelphia
Before the statement
Given to the Philadelphia Inquirer after Judge Diamond issued his September 15, 2026 memorandum and order disqualifying Krasner and Stiegler and referring them and the DAO to the U.S. Attorney's Office.
After the statement
Krasner said the pending status of the matter limited his and his office's ability to respond further in the media.
Sources
(4)
Original text
Memorandum, Johnson v. Nickelson, No. 2:15-cv-04965-PD (E.D. Pa. Sept. 15, 2026)
Relevant passage: Doc. 173, pp. 1, 17, 36-39
Excerpt
"I have thus reluctantly concluded that Philadelphia's highest law enforcement official and one of his top assistants may have violated the law... I am compelled, with the issuance of this Memorandum, to refer the DAO, Mr. Krasner, and Stiegler to this District's United States Attorney's Office for investigation and other appropriate action."
About this source
Memorandum of U.S. District Judge Paul S. Diamond in Johnson v. Nickelson, No. 2:15-cv-04965-PD (E.D. Pa.), filed September 15, 2026, disqualifying Krasner and Stiegler and referring them and the DAO to the U.S. Attorney's Office. Obtained via CourtListener/RECAP.
- Published
- Accessed
Reporting
Philly DA Larry Krasner faces legal and political uncertainty after a judge said he may have committed crimes
About this source
Philadelphia Inquirer report on political and legal reaction to Judge Diamond's September 15, 2026 referral, quoting State Rep. Martina White, Robert Saleem Holbrook (Straight Ahead), Sergio Cea (Reclaim Philadelphia), and law professors Lauren Ouziel and Michael Levy.
- Published
- Accessed
Reporting
Federal judge refers DA Krasner for possible prosecution
About this source
WHYY (Philadelphia public radio) report confirming the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania declined to comment on the referral.
- Published
- Accessed
Reporting
A federal judge said he believes DA Larry Krasner may have broken the law and is referring him to prosecutors
Excerpt
"I respectfully and vigorously disagree with the court's findings of fact and conclusions of law. I look forward to appealing to the higher court as soon as the law allows. This remains a pending matter, which limits for now my and my office's ability to respond in the media."
About this source
Philadelphia Inquirer report on Judge Diamond's memorandum, quoting Krasner's on-record response.
- Published
- Accessed
Corrections
(0)
Corrections address errors in our reporting or labels. When a speaker changes their position, we add a separate statement and link it to the earlier one.
No corrections on this page.