Executive Summary
- Mohamed Adan sentenced to life in prison for the 2022 murder of domestic partner Racheal Abraham.
- The murder occurred one week after the Portland Freedom Fund posted Adan’s bail.
- Prosecutors cite a documented history of escalating domestic violence prior to the killing.
- District Attorney seeks remaining bail forfeiture from the fund’s founder for restitution.
A Multnomah County Circuit Court judge sentenced 36-year-old Mohamed Adan to life in prison on Tuesday following his guilty plea to second-degree murder in the death of his domestic partner, Racheal Abraham. The sentencing concludes a case that drew significant scrutiny after it was revealed that the Portland Freedom Fund had posted Adan’s bail just one week prior to the fatal 2022 incident.
According to court documents, Adan will be eligible for parole after serving 25 years. Multnomah County District Attorney Nathan Vasquez stated on Wednesday that the murder followed a "documented pattern of escalating abuse." Prosecutors noted that Adan’s history of violence against Abraham included incidents where he punched and strangled her, leading to a restraining order which he subsequently violated by cutting off his GPS monitor.
The fatal attack occurred shortly after Adan was released from custody. Authorities reported that after the court set his bail at $20,000, the Portland Freedom Fund paid the required 10 percent to secure his release. Deputy District Attorney Melissa Marrero described the killing as "brutal," detailing that Abraham sustained extensive knife wounds to her head and face in front of the couple’s three children.
District Attorney Vasquez explicitly criticized the bail fund’s involvement during a press briefing. "I am sickened and outraged that this group chose to bail out the defendant," Vasquez said, characterizing the decision as "reckless" with "real world consequences." In a 2022 interview with OPB, Terrence Hayes, a board member for the Freedom Fund, acknowledged the tragedy, stating the organization was "trying to grow and develop" from the "horrific lesson."
Prosecutors announced Tuesday they are seeking a court order requiring Amanda Trujillo, the founder of the Portland Freedom Fund, to pay the remaining $18,000 of Adan’s outstanding bail. Officials stated that these funds, if collected, would be directed toward restitution for Abraham’s family.
Judicial & Public Safety Implications
This sentencing highlights the critical intersection between bail reform initiatives and public safety protocols, particularly in cases involving domestic violence. The case underscores the risks associated with third-party bail funding, where organizations aim to address economic disparities in the justice system but face intense scrutiny when released defendants commit violent acts. The District Attorney’s move to seek the remaining bail amount from the fund’s founder signals a potential shift toward holding bail organizations financially accountable for the procedural outcomes of their beneficiaries. It is important to note that while Adan has entered a guilty plea in this specific case, the legal system maintains that all individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law regarding any unadjudicated charges.
