AP Photo/Keith Srakocic
- Allegheny County DA Stephen A. Zappala Jr. reportedly asked deputies not to make plea deals with attorney Milton Raiford.
- His request was sent in emails seen by the Tribune Review.
- Zappala sent the email to his colleagues after Raiford criticized systemic racism in the court system.
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A white prosecutor in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, told deputy prosecutors not to make plea deals with a Black lawyer who criticized systemic racism in criminal courts, according to emails seen by the Tribune Review.
Emails seen by the paper show Allegheny County District Attorney Stephen A. Zappala Jr. emailing his deputy prosecutors about attorney Milton Raiford.
He wrote that Raiford conducted "unprofessional conduct" in the courtroom, including what he called "convoluted critical diatribe."
"No plea offers are to be made," Zappala said in reference to Raiford. "The cases may proceed on the information as filed, whether by general plea, nonjury or jury trial. Withdrawal of any charges must be approved by the front office."
Raiford had spoken out against systemic racism in Pittsburgh in a courtroom in May, before Zappala sent the email.
According to transcripts from the court seen by the Tribune Review, Raiford had said: "I think that the criminal justice system is systematically racist."
Raiford called Zappala's emails about ignoring his plea deals "vindictive."
"I don't know why he's making my clients suffer because of something I said," he told the Tribune Review.
Zappala did not immediately respond to Insider's request for comment.