Philadelphia’s progressive district attorney seeks third term as shootings decline. Critics contend he’s soft on criminals

As Philadelphia’s district attorney, Larry Krasner, attempted to explain himself, a pensive scowl replaced the look of assured confidence usually etched on his face.

With just weeks left before the 4 November general election, political rivals and community members were questioning a key decision. In May, his office dropped kidnapping and domestic violence charges against a man who, in October, was charged with another crime: the slaying of Kada Scott, a 23-year-old former Miss Pennsylvania USA beauty pageant contestant and recent college graduate. So on 20 October, Krasner floundered through a news conference he had called to announce that police had found Scott’s body in a shallow grave, and that Keon King, 21, had been charged with crimes related to her abduction.