The Latest: Newly elected Philly prosecutor wants change | iNFOnews | Thompson-Okanagan's News Source
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The Latest: Newly elected Philly prosecutor wants change

PHILADELPHIA - The Latest on the race for district attorney in Philadelphia (all times local):

9:55 p.m.

Philadelphia's newly elected district attorney is promising to fight for reforms in the criminal justice system.

Democrat Larry Krasner told supporters his victory in Tuesday's election was a mandate for "transformational change."

The longtime civil rights attorney says it's time to end the death penalty, mass incarceration and a bail system that he believes treats poor people unfairly.

He says he also will oppose the Trump administration's immigration policies.

Krasner easily defeated career prosecutor Beth Grossman, a Republican.

Democratic former District Attorney Seth Williams left office in disgrace in June after admitting taking a bribe. He was sentenced last month to five months in prison.

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9:15 p.m.

A longtime civil rights attorney who has sued the police department scores of times and opposes the death penalty has been elected Philadelphia's top prosecutor.

Democrat Larry Krasner's campaign highlighted inequities in the criminal justice system. The campaign, opposed by the police union, got a $1.5 million boost from billionaire donor George Soros.

The 56-year-old Krasner defeated Republican career prosecutor Beth Grossman, who says she switched parties several years ago because Democrats have a corrupt stranglehold on the city.

Democratic former District Attorney Seth Williams resigned in June after admitting taking a bribe and is serving five years in prison.

Krasner says police commissioners have long needed a district attorney who'll back them when they try to fire a bad officer rather than always siding with the police union.

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7:40 p.m.

Voters in Philadelphia are electing a new district attorney to replace one who has been sentenced to prison time for accepting a bribe.

Democrat Larry Krasner is favoured to win Tuesday in the heavily Democratic city. But Republican Beth Grossman has gotten a boost with endorsements from The Philadelphia Inquirer and the local police union.

The president of the union has called Krasner "anti-law enforcement."

Krasner has represented activists and protesters in his 30-year career, but has never worked as a prosecutor. He's vowing to combat injustices in the criminal justice system.

Grossman is touting her experience as an assistant district attorney and says the position needs someone with true qualifications.

Both are vying to succeed former District Attorney Seth Williams.

News from © The Associated Press, 2017
The Associated Press

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