Category: Press Release

Acting Chief Defender Alan Tauber on Derek Chauvin Murder Trial Verdict

Posted on by 2010admin
PHILADELPHIA–“There are numerous lessons to be drawn from the verdict in the trial of Derek Chauvin, not the least of which is the need to enact reforms that greatly reduce unnecessary, often deadly interactions between the police and people of color.
 
“As public defenders that primarily serve Black and Brown communities, we see many of our clients needlessly confronted and detained by police officers for minor offenses that aren’t considered criminal when they occur in white neighborhoods. Further damage is inflicted by a justice system that is too quick to accept the testimony of police officers and repeatedly fails to hold police officers to a higher level of accountability to communities.
 
“Justice can’t be served unless we closely evaluate and rethink the role of police in public safety, and work alongside community members to develop and implement fair and effective justice system practices that ensure equal treatment for every citizen.” 
 
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Keir Bradford-Grey to Step Down As Chief Defender

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PHILADELPHIA–Keir Bradford-Grey will be stepping down from her role as Chief Defender. Bradford-Grey announced her resignation in a letter to the Defender Association’s Board of Directors on March 15.
 
Bradford-Grey began her legal career at the Defender, where she worked from 1999 to 2007. She returned to lead the organization in 2015. In her resignation letter, she recounted some of the highlights of her tenure as Chief Defender, including success in redefining the role of public defenders, and efforts to empower communities to play an active role in justice system reform.
 
“Over time, we have changed the function and the narrative of how our work contributes to enhanced public safety–evolving what had historically been a reactive role to our criminal justice system into an expanded service, with a proactive role in our justice practices,” she wrote. 
 
“The Defender’s mission has always been to provide the best representation for our clients. Keir greatly enhanced that mission during her time as Chief Defender,” said Paul Hetznecker, President of the Defender Association’s Board of Directors, “Thanks to Keir, the Defender Association has been able to establish an unprecedented collaboration with the community, one of the keys to real criminal justice reform.”
 
During her tenure as Chief, the Defender Association forged closer working relationships with City leaders, providing insights on effective strategies for justice system reform. She writes, “These efforts have gained us the respect and value we deserve from our funders, who supported and increased our budget to allow us to develop our presence in multiple areas of growth, from our national profile to our local community service.”  
 
Hetznecker: “Thanks to Keir’s tireless efforts, the Defender has been able to secure much-needed financial support and achieve increased recognition for the outstanding representation of indigent clients provided by Defender lawyers and staff.”
 
Keir Bradford-Grey’s last day as Chief Defender will be April 15, 2021. First Assistant Defender Alan Tauber will serve as the Interim Chief Defender while the Board conducts a national search for the next Chief Defender.
 
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Keir Bradford-Grey on Dismissal of Charges Against Khasandra Franklin

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All charges against Khasandra Franklin, who was arrested last fall after a minor traffic incident, will be dropped.
 
PHILADELPHIA–“On behalf of the Defender Association of Philadelphia, I want to commend Attorney General Josh Shapiro for dismissing the charges brought against Khasandra Franklin by the Philly DA’s office. Shapiro’s actions serve as a shining example of the thoughtful, considered approach that should be adopted by our District Attorney’s Office before needlessly exposing more Black people to the negative lifelong effects of our justice system.
 
“Had this case gone to trial, our theory of the case would have been that, but for having the misfortune of offending someone who has power and privilege, Ms. Franklin would have never faced criminal charges. She would have never have had her car towed, much less been brought into the justice system, where she spent a night in jail. From the outset, AG Shapiro recognized this case for what it was and reduced the charges from the original felonies to misdemeanors. 
 
“I speak often on how we, as justice practitioners, need to slow down and ask more questions on the front end before permanently upending their lives by saddling them with a criminal record. Today’s decision by Josh Shapiro gives me hope that there are justice system leaders who are committed to that kind of change.”

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Keir Bradford-Grey Remembers Thurgood Matthews

Posted on by 2010admin
Thurgood Matthews was with the Defender for over 40 years and was the head of the Special Defense Unit. He passed away on November 20. Read more about Thurgood here. 
 
PHILADELPHIA–“It is with great sadness and extreme difficulty that I write to inform you of the passing of one of the Defender Association of Philadelphia’s most beloved family members, Thurgood Matthews. Our most heartfelt sympathies go out to Thurgood’s family members and especially our Defender colleague, Thurgood’s daughter, Keisha Matthews. 

“Words cannot describe what the loss of a legal giant like Thurgood Matthews means to our legal community.  The Defender Association was fortunate to have a lawyer of such great distinction dedicate his career to enhancing the standards of excellent representation. He instilled a sense of pride in so many professionals within the Association to remind us how much of an honor it was to work on behalf of communities fighting for their civil rights.   

“The contributions Thurgood made to the legal profession are both numerous and monumental.  Those of us who had the privilege of being guided and mentored by him have, and will continue to benefit tremendously from his sharp, intellectual trial instincts, which were second to none.

“He touched our lives in so many ways. He was a great friend and confidant. His wise counsel and sharp wit often transformed simple conversations into intellectual life lessons. He combined humor with frank honesty in a way that made us keep coming back for repeated doses of his wisdom.

“Thurgood Matthews was the epitome of what it means to be a defender. He was a fierce advocate, quick to attack those who stepped out of the bounds of ethics of our profession. He was well-respected by his opponents, who feared his ire if they dared to discharge their duties with anything but honor and dignity. He truly raised the bar, and I am privileged and honored that I had the opportunity to enhance and hone my craft under his mentorship. But most of all, I am blessed to call him my friend and family.  

“There are certain people who can never be replaced, but whose legacies will live on through our efforts to enhance the quality and standards of our practice and culture. Thurgood Matthews is one of those people. He was loved and will be tremendously missed.” 
 
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Keir Bradford-Grey on the Passing of Amber M. Racine

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PHILADELPHIA–“On behalf of the Defender Association of Philadelphia, I want to extend my deepest condolences to the family of Amber M. Racine, whose passing we are all mourning today.  

“Amber Racine was more than a brilliant lawyer. She was committed to the idea that communities of color need and deserve quality legal representation. As the president of the Barristers, she consistently demonstrated this commitment in her pro-bono legal work for those who couldn’t otherwise afford an attorney.   

“I and others who knew and were inspired by Amber Racine will honor her memory and legacy by continuing to represent the marginalized communities she cared so deeply for.”  

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Councilmember Thomas Introduces Driving Equality Bill

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[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]PHILADELPHIA–Councilmember Thomas will introduce this bill aimed at combating the issue of Driving While Black. 43% of Philadelphia residents are Black but Black people make up 72% of the drivers pulled over for alleged motor vehicle code. After the stop, Black drivers are twice as likely to be searched but are 35% less likely to be found with contraband.

The Driving Equality Bill will promote fairness by reducing the racial disparities within these stops, promote safety by reducing community trauma and improving police-community relations, promote efficiency by refocusing officers’ time and resources on solving real crime.

“I’ve been pulled over more times than I can count and it never felt like it was keeping me or my community safer,” said Councilmember Thomas. “We need to improve police-community relations and, at a time of economic crisis, ensure that we are not wasting a single dollar of taxpayers’ money. My Driving Equality Bill will promote fairness, safety and efficiency and reduce the number of people pulled over for ‘fitting a description’.”

Under the Driving Equality Bill, police officers would no longer be able to stop a driver for a trivial code violation that does not pose a risk to public safety, such as tinted windows or a missing tail light. However, officers would still be able to stop a driver for dangerous violations, such as driving while intoxicated. Philadelphia needs to improve police-community relations and, at a time of economic crisis, ensure that we are not wasting a single dollar of taxpayers’ money. The Driving Equality Bill (the first bill of its kind out of a major city) will achieve these goals.

“By allowing the police to focus on more serious motor vehicle code violations and real crimes, the Driving Equality Bill will reduce the opportunities for the tension, conflict and tragedy that too often happen when traffic stops go bad,” said Chief Defender Keir Bradford-Grey at the Defender Association of Philadelphia, “It’s exciting and inspiring to see Philly’s leaders taking bold, proactive and progressive steps to take the targets off the backs of Black people. We look forward to seeing Councilmember Thomas and others on policing and other justice system reforms that are more fair, more cost-effective, and more impactful on public safety.”

Law enforcement has claimed that motor vehicle stops are a good tool for keeping communities safe. Police officers have continued to use motor vehicle stops while Philadelphia has seen a record number of homicides and instances of gun violence – this is an inefficient and ineffective practice. On average, only .147% of motor vehicle stops result in the discovery of a weapon.

The Driving Equality Bill will be introduced in City Council this Thursday, October 29th, by Councilmember Thomas and is cosponsored by Councilmembers Jones, Gilmore Richardson, Quinones-Sanchez, Brooks, Johnson, Gauthier, Gym, Parker and Henon.

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More on “Driving Equality”

[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row css=”.vc_custom_1604003696858{background-color: #eeeeee !important;}”][vc_column width=”2/3″][vc_video link=”https://youtu.be/ljdv6jVdFF4″ title=”Driving Equality Press Conference”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/3″][vc_column_text]NEWS STORIES:

CBS-3:
Philadelphia City Councilmember To Propose Bill Banning Police From Stopping Drivers For Minor Traffic Violations

Philadelphia Inquirer:
Philly City Council bill aims to curb police stops of Black drivers for minor infractions

WHYY-FM:
Philly City Council bill would ban police traffic stops for minor violations[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

Keir Bradford-Grey on Shooting of Walter Wallace, Jr.

Posted on by 2010admin
PHILADELPHIA–“Last night’s horrific incident in Cobb’s Creek is made all the more tragic by the fact that it was completely avoidable. Many questions will need to be answered in the coming weeks, but one thing is clear: this is not the public safety model that our communities want or need. 
“Discussions about the killing of Walter Wallace, Jr. will include vigorous debates around acceptable use-of-force protocols. But this is about so much more than that. It’s about what it really takes to feel safe in our neighborhoods, and the overwhelming police response to a mental health emergency is not the answer.
“What we witnessed last night is the sadly predictable outcome of summoning an armed presence into a situation that requires de-escalation and expertise in mental health issues. This is the time to re-think public safety, and how more of our city’s resources can be allocated to organizations and departments who are actually trained to deal with these situations. 
“We cannot afford to squander the opportunity to learn from the Civil Rights moment sparked by this summer’s protests. Unless we quickly reconsider the role of our justice system in public safety, we will continue to re-live the pain and heartbreak of last night’s tragedy, and the subsequent outrage from Philly’s Black and Brown communities.”  
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Keir Bradford-Grey on Passing of Ruth Bader Ginsburg

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PHILADELPHIA—“The news of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s passing has dealt a crushing emotional blow to those of us who practice law with the goal of advancing equal rights for every citizen.

‘RBG’ is an icon in so many ways— a hero whose work impacted the lives of millions of people; a pioneer for women in the legal profession; a shining example of moral and professional integrity; and an illustration of strength, longevity, and courage in difficult times. 

“Justice Ginsberg’s amazing legacy is secure. It’s now up to all of us to carry it forward by practicing, in our work and personal lives, what we’ve learned from her incredible career and contributions to our nation’s democracy.”  

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Keir Bradford-Grey Testifies on Law Enforcement & Public Safety

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[vc_row][vc_column][vc_video link=”https://vimeo.com/452621725″ title=”Watch video of Keir Bradford-Grey’s testimony below”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_empty_space height=”40px”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]The Defender’s written testimony submitted for the record can be downloaded here.

On August 27, Chief Defender Keir Bradford-Grey testified before PA lawmakers about the role law enforcement plays in public safety. In her testimony, she emphasized the need to build more trust between police officers and communities of color, have more transparency from police departments, and more accountability for officers found guilty of misconduct.

“It was great to speak with and interact with lawmakers and law enforcement people from across Pennsylvania,” said Bradford-Grey, “We know that our communities will only become safer when we see more transparency and accountability from those sworn to protect and serve. And, while we understand that we’re not always going to agree, getting to our ultimate goal requires the kind of dialog we had at the hearing.”

The Defender’s written testimony submitted for the record can be downloaded here.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

Keir Bradford-Grey: We Need Real Alternatives to Cash Bail

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PHILADELPHIA–“The Defender Association of Philadelphia appreciates the support DA Larry Krasner has given to our ongoing efforts to move our justice system to community-based alternatives to pre-trial detention. However, the DA’s practice of ‘simulated no-cash bail’ to keep people in jail is a legal slight-0f-hand that only perpetuates the economic and racial disparities that exist in our prison population.
 
“The DAs office last year committed to join the Defender’s proposal to adhere to the PA law that prevents the use of cash bail for the sole purpose of detention. We agreed to develop a transparent process that would require prosecutors to ask for defendants’ bail to be revoked only after the prosecution shows by clear and convincing evidence (as the law requires) that the person is a flight risk, and/or a danger to the community. The magistrate can then exercise the option to place a high amount of cash bail or preventatively detain the person, depending on the information presented at a detention hearing. Unfortunately, the DA’s new bail policy sidesteps this process.
 
 “The purpose of bail is to ensure one’s appearance in court and to place added emphasis on abiding by conditions of release. And, while we understand the rationale behind the DA’s ‘simulated no-cash bail’ approach, it goes against our agreement on the process and is in violation of the law, which doesn’t allow bail to be placed on individuals for the sole purpose of keeping them in jail.    
 
“These excessively high bail amounts disproportionately impact Black and Brown defendants in our jails. We are in the midst of the COVID-19 crisis, and this practice contributes to the risk of spreading the virus in our jails while causing collateral damage to the families of the incarcerated, many of whom are already struggling with today’s new economic realities.
 
“This is not the type of justice reform we need. It’s time to re-think our approach to pre-trial incarceration. Our work with the Pre-entry Coalition has shown that providing community supports plays a big role in lowering recidivism. We should be expanding on the pre-entry model instead of doubling down on a system that has never served us well. 
 
“If we want to make better decisions about people at the front end of our system, then we need to change the process by which we gather information about them.  Only then will we have a more balanced justice system–one that helps us make decisions that truly support public safety.”
 
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