Legislative candidate Al Taubenberger last week held a news conference to demand the resignations of Mayor Jim Kenney, District Attorney Larry Krasner and Police Commissioner Danielle Outlaw.
“All three of them have failed the city,” he said.
Taubenberger also outlined a “common-sense” bill he plans to introduce, if elected, that would mandate a 2-year prison sentence for the carrying of unlicensed and illegal firearms on city streets and property.
The announcement came outside the former Philly Bar & Restaurant, 2417 Welsh Road. In June, a 21-year-old Parkwood woman, Jailene Holton, was shot to death inside the bar. A week later, authorities arrested 47-year-old Anthony Nelson at Harrah’s Casino in Atlantic City.
Law enforcement has said that Nelson fired a gun from perhaps 100 feet away into the bar, angry that he was unable to play pool because a league was using the tables. Jailene was acting as a designated driver on the night she was killed. He faces trial after a preliminary hearing. The bar has closed and removed its signage.
Taubenberger said many violent criminals have no fear of repercussions, blaming Krasner’s policies.
The candidate’s bill would be called the Jailene Amendment.
“No more kid-gloves treatment for illegal gun possession,” he said. “You carry it, you’re going to jail for two years. End of story.”
Taubenberger introduced Karen McConnell, Jailene’s grandmom, who recalled that Nelson was acquitted by a jury in an unrelated case last year.
“He has a lengthy record. He should have been in jail, and my granddaughter would be alive today. It was a slam-dunk case, as I was told,” she said.
Instead, she said, the defense attorney made “mincemeat” of Krasner’s prosecutor.
Jailene’s father, stepmother and grandfather were also at the news conference.
Also attending were City Council candidates Jim Hasher and Drew Murray and congressional candidate Aaron Bashir.
Taubenberger, McConnell, Hasher, Murray and Bashir all support Krasner’s impeachment and removal from office.
Taubenberger, a Republican, faces Democratic Rep. Kevin Boyle (D-172nd dist.). ••
