BILLY PENN: District Attorney has always been a high profile position in Philadelphia, and that’s particularly been the case for Seth Williams. He’s charged public officials who were part of a sting operation dropped by Attorney General Kathleen Kane, challenged the governor’s death penalty moratorium and last Thursday announced his office would not press charges against the officers who shot and killed Brandon Tate-Brown in December in Northeast Philly.
Protesters followed the announcement that night by kicking over chairs and fighting at a Lawncrest community meeting. Gauging that reaction to that decision, Williams says he wants fewer people “yelling through their bullhorns” and more finding solutions. The next day, Williams sat down with Billy Penn to discuss the Tate-Brown shooting and people’s reactions, his opposition to Tom Wolf’s death penalty moratorium, his surprising choice for a dream job and more. (The interview has been edited and condensed for clarity).
Q: With the Tate-Brown shooting, as well as other controversial officer shootings around the country in which no charges have been filed, the criminal justice system has been accused of racism. How can you as a public official involved with the law reassure the black community they are getting a fair shake? … (more)
