Community Feedback About Rayful Edmond Resentencing
Over the next several weeks, the Office of the Attorney General (OAG) will invite District residents to share their views about whether or not a federal judge should reduce Rayful Edmond’s life sentence without parole. OAG will then share the public’s views with the court. OAG is not taking a position on this case. Instead, the office is making sure District residents and the community have a voice in this process.

How can I provide feedback about the case to OAG?
You may share your views in one of the following ways:

• Online: Click here to share your views. 

• Telephone: Call (202) 727-3400 to speak directly with a representative from OAG.

• Postal Mail: Forward written statements to: Office of the Attorney General, ATTN: Rayful Edmond Case, 441 4th Street NW, Suite 1100 South, Washington, D.C. 20001

• Community Forum: RSVP to provide feedback in person at one of OAG's three community forums below.

  • Thursday, June 13 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Old Council Chambers (441 4th Street NW)

  • Saturday, June 15 from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at Martha's Table (2375 Elvans Road SE)

  • Saturday, June 29 from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. at Frank D. Reeves Center (2000 14th Street NW)

Questions and/or additional comments? Please email: OAGCommunity@dc.gov.

Who is Rayful Edmond?
Rayful Edmond ran a major cocaine ring in the District in the 1980s. He was convicted of federal drug distribution charges in 1990 and is currently serving a life sentence without parole. Now, the U.S. Attorney’s Office is asking a federal court to reduce that sentence because Edmond has been cooperating with federal authorities since the late 1990s. As part of the process of resentencing Edmond, the judge has asked to hear from those who were affected by his actions.

What is OAG’s role in this case?
On May 24, 2019, the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia appointed the Attorney General for the District of Columbia as amicus curiae (friend of the court) to obtain the views of District residents and the community on whether the court should reduce the sentence of Mr. Edmond for his cooperation with federal prosecutors. This is the first time the Office of the Attorney General (OAG) has been appointed by a federal court to represent the views of the community in an adult criminal matter in which it does not have prosecutorial authority. Over the next several weeks, OAG will obtain the community's views and then submit a brief to the court that reflects those views by August 30, 2019. 

It makes sense for Attorney General Racine to represent the community here because he is the District’s only independent, elected prosecutor. OAG is experienced in working with the community and gathering feedback on public safety issues in a way that is fair and transparent. In this case, the office will amplify local voices and give District residents and the community the opportunity to participate directly in the adult criminal justice system—where our participation is extremely limited.