Professor Suja Thomas was consulted for an opinion piece in the Philadelphia Inquirer regarding the use of grand jury reports in Pennsylvania. Last year, a massive grand jury report brought to light decades of sexual abuse and cover-up by the state's Catholic church. Now, officials are considering a state Supreme Court task force recommendation to abolish grand jury reports.
"Historically the role of investigating grand juries was to create an independent citizenry body to investigate malfeasance in government — not private individuals," Thomas said.
Pennsylvania Attorney General Josh Shapiro argues that grand jury reports are a critical tool to hold powerful institutions to account, and that anyone accused in a report can have a response appended before publication.
Read the full article at inquirer.com.