Former DA supervisor suspended for misleading judge to vacate death penalty

A former supervisor in Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner’s office was suspended from practicing in federal court for three years after a disciplinary panel found she knowingly misled a judge while seeking to overturn a death sentence.

Former DA supervisor suspended for misleading judge to vacate death penalty

TL;DR

  • Nancy Winkelman, former chief of the Law Division in Philadelphia DA Larry Krasner’s office, received a three-year suspension from practicing in federal court.
  • A disciplinary panel found Winkelman knowingly misled a judge while seeking to overturn the death sentence of convicted murderer Robert Wharton.
  • The panel concluded Winkelman was complicit in misrepresentations made by another prosecutor and acted to vacate all death sentences on appeal.
  • Winkelman is appealing the suspension, arguing the ruling has serious errors.
  • The disciplinary findings were unsealed shortly after the Pennsylvania Supreme Court criticized Krasner's office for misleading courts and withholding evidence.