Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner (Credit: Krasner's X account - @DA_LarryKrasner)
Two senior leaders of the Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office Conviction Integrity Unit (CIU) have resigned, just one day after a defamation lawsuit was filed against the unit’s founding supervisor, raising questions about the future of one of the office’s most high-profile reform initiatives.
Last Thursday, former prosecutor Beth McCaffrey filed a defamation suit in Bucks County against Patricia Cummings, who established the CIU under District Attorney Larry Krasner. The lawsuit alleges that Cummings made false and misleading statements, including claims that McCaffrey had concealed evidence in a murder trial. The suit also names New York University, which published Cummings' allegations, and could lead to broader scrutiny of the CIU's practices.
The following day, CIU Supervisor Michael Garmisa and Assistant Supervisor Carrie Wood resigned from their positions.
District Attorney Krasner attributed their departures to new opportunities, telling the Philadelphia Inquirer, “They’re very much in demand, so both Mr. Garmisa and Carrie Wood... have very exciting next chapters, very exciting opportunities."
The CIU, established to investigate and rectify wrongful convictions, has been a cornerstone of Krasner's reform agenda. Since its inception, the unit has been credited with over 35 exonerations, accounting for more than 675 years of wrongful imprisonment.
The recent resignations and lawsuit come at a critical time, as Krasner faces a Democratic primary challenge from former Municipal Court Judge Patrick Dugan. Dugan has criticized Krasner's approach to criminal justice reform, arguing that it has compromised public safety.
As the DA's office navigates these developments, the future direction of the CIU and its role in the broader criminal justice reform movement in Philadelphia remains uncertain.
