Philly DA Krasner's own prosecutors allege he threatened them to 'protect the office'

Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner has been accused by two of his own prosecutors of threatening "consequences" against if they refused to handle a controversial murder appeal in a way that would "protect the office," according to a federal court filing.

Attorneys Katie Ernst and Steven Wildberger filed a Notice of Conflict alleging Krasner, who represents the Democrat Party, instructed them to "litigate the case in a manner to protect the office" as they worked on a federal appeal involving a 2009 murder conviction.

According to the filing, the prosecutors believed that directive was "incompatible with their ethical obligations and the interests of the Commonwealth."

The filing further alleges that when they suggested the matter should instead be referred to the Pennsylvania Attorney General's Office due to the conflict, Krasner warned there would be "consequences for anyone who notified the court of the conflict issues."

The allegations come just days after another former prosecutor delivered explosive testimony during an evidentiary hearing before U.S. District Judge Paul Diamond. The former attorney testified she had been used as a "pawn" by supervisors and claimed the District Attorney's Office "colluded" with defense attorneys and the Innocence Project in an effort to overturn the conviction.

Judge Diamond ordered the hearing after questioning why Krasner's office initially supported overturning the defendant's conviction before later reversing its position. Ernst and Wildberger have also been ordered to testify before the court. Their testimony was postponed due to time constraints and is expected to take place at a later hearing.

According to KYW Newsradio, Krasner's office has not publicly responded to the allegations contained in the federal filing.