Philadelphia journalist Josh Kruger, 39, was fatally shot at his home in the Point Breeze neighborhood on October 2, 2023. The accused, Robert Davis, who was 19 at the time of the incident, was arrested roughly three weeks later. Court documents revealed that Kruger and Davis had an "intimate/sexual relationship" leading up to Kruger's death.
On Monday, Davis, now 20, pleaded guilty to third-degree murder and was sentenced to 15 to 30 years in prison, based on a negotiated plea deal. Additionally, he received a 1 to 2-year sentence for carrying a firearm without a license in a separate incident. Neither the Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office nor the Defenders Association of Philadelphia provided comments on the plea deal.
Kruger was a well-regarded journalist and columnist, recognized for his advocacy on LGBTQ+ rights and support for the homeless. His work appeared in outlets like The Philadelphia Citizen and The Philadelphia Inquirer. He received awards from the Society of Professional Journalists in 2014 and 2015 and had worked with various departments within the Philadelphia city government. His former colleagues and Philadelphia's then-Mayor Jim Kenney expressed deep sadness over his untimely death.