Shooting victim testifies in Philly
A shooting victim's willingness to testify against the drug dealer who shot him is big news in Philadelphia: Inquirer story here--Despite Threats, Victim Testifies in Phila. Court. That such testimony is perceived as rare (and courageous) reflects the widespread violent witness intimidation suffered by Philly urban residents, and documented in this Inquirer series: Witness Intimidation Crisis. As I've written elsewhere, witness intimidation is most pernicious when the threatened fear that the government won't protect them. That's why these legislative efforts to improve state witness protection programs are so important.
