The tragic discovery of human remains in a shallow grave has been confirmed through DNA analysis to belong to Kada Scott, a young woman from Philadelphia who had been reported missing.
The suspect in her kidnapping and death, Keon King, is a 21-year-old man with a troubling history. Despite facing charges in two similar cases over the past year, King was released, a decision that Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner now acknowledges as a grave error.
Scott, aged 23, was last seen on October 4 when she arrived for her overnight shift at a senior-living facility.
Her vehicle was later found at the location, accompanied by several personal items such as her glasses, cellphone case, iPad case, and bank card.
According to The Post Millennial, King had previously been charged twice with violently assaulting a former girlfriend, including incidents of kidnapping and choking her inside his vehicle. However, in both instances, the victim's absence from court led prosecutors to drop the charges.
Following Scott's disappearance, the Philadelphia District Attorneys Office admitted that not pursuing the case was a mistake. The situation gained further attention when footage of King went viral on social media.
The Inquirer reports that "one of those cases Kings alleged assault and abduction of the woman in January was largely captured on video, prosecutors say, so the case could have moved forward even without the womans testimony." Assistant DA Toczylowski expressed regret, stating, Everyone involved at this point, including the [initial prosecutor], agrees that we wish this happened differently.
District Attorney Krasner highlighted the challenges faced by victims, noting, "The reason they had to worry he was going to come out of the same door they went in the courthouse right after they testified against him is because he was on bail."
King managed to post 10% of a $200,000 bail following his first kidnapping arrest. When questioned about the decision not to seek a higher bail, Krasner described it as a "strategic decision."
Krasner elaborated on the complexities of the bail system, explaining, "You have the option of trying to do what is often a midnight or three o'clock in the morning telephonic appeal to a municipal court judge. The unfortunate reality of this is that some, but not all of these judges, don't want you calling them in the middle of the night. And if you do, they lower the bail. They don't raise it, they don't leave it. They lower it. So it is always a complex, strategic decision."
Currently, King is being held on a $2.5 million bail in connection with Kada Scott's case and remains in custody as he awaits a preliminary hearing scheduled for the following month. This tragic incident underscores the critical need for a justice system that prioritizes the safety of victims and the community, ensuring that individuals with a history of violence are not allowed to roam free.
The case serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of leniency in the face of clear evidence of criminal behavior.
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