A chilling tragedy unfolded in Portland, a stark illustration of devastating consequences. Mohamed Adan, a man with a documented history of brutal violence, was released on bail and subsequently murdered his ex-girlfriend, Racheal Abraham, in front of their children.
Adan’s pattern of abuse was undeniable. Prior arrests detailed strangulation attempts, threats of lethal violence – “I should kill you!” – and assaults leaving Abraham fearing for her life. She pleaded with the court, warning that strangulation is a precursor to homicide, a desperate attempt to be heard.
Despite these clear warnings, the Portland Freedom Fund, an organization advocating for the abolition of cash bail, intervened. They paid $2,000 for Adan’s release, a decision that would prove fatal. Within days, he violated a no-contact order and unleashed a final, horrific attack.
The brutality of the murder was harrowing. Adan strangled Abraham and slashed her face and arms, committing the act while three young children were present in the home. He had repeatedly disabled GPS monitoring devices imposed as conditions of his release, demonstrating a blatant disregard for the law.
Last week, Adan pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and received a life sentence, with the possibility of parole after 25 years. The prosecutor didn’t hesitate to assign blame, stating the Portland Freedom Fund’s actions directly led to Abraham’s death.
This case isn’t isolated. Across the country, bail funds linked to progressive causes have facilitated the release of repeat offenders who then committed further violent crimes. The surge in funding for these organizations followed the 2020 protests, fueled by celebrity donations and activist support.
In Cleveland, Donnie Allen, with a lengthy arrest record, was released on bail by the BLM-linked Bail Project. Five days later, he allegedly shot and killed Ben McComas at a transit station. A judge controversially reduced Allen’s bond despite his history and the severity of the new charges.
Minnesota saw a similar outcome with George Howard, bailed out on a domestic assault charge, who later fatally shot Luis Damian Martinez Ortiz in a road-rage incident. Michael Sendejo, released in Seattle after arrests for assault and theft, went on to strangle and stab Bradley Arabie to death.
The pattern continues: Marcus Garvin, freed on bail for a stabbing, murdered his girlfriend. Jaycee Thompson, with a long criminal record, murdered Anthony Gonzalez after being released. Kylan Houle, a repeat offender, allegedly shot and killed Damon Allen shortly after being released from custody.
The Minnesota Freedom Fund, for example, experienced a massive influx of funds – jumping from $231,000 in 2019 to $41.6 million in 2020. However, investigations revealed a disturbing trend: many individuals released on their support went on to re-offend violently.
These tragedies raise profound questions about the consequences of bail reform and the responsibility of those who advocate for it. The pursuit of equitable systems cannot come at the cost of public safety and innocent lives.
