An Oregon man whose bail was reduced over prosecutors’ objections and later paid by a Portland activist group murdered his girlfriend just five days after his release, despite her explicit warnings to the court that she feared for her life.
Mohamed Adan, 36, was sentenced Tuesday to life in prison with the possibility of parole after 25 years for the August 2022 killing of his partner, Racheal Abraham, according to the Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office.
Adan pleaded guilty this week to second-degree murder. Prosecutors said Abraham was stabbed repeatedly and then strangled inside the Portland apartment the couple shared, while her three young children were present in the home.
“This case is an absolute tragedy that never should have happened,” Senior Deputy District Attorney Melissa Marrero said in a statement. “The warning signs were there, and Racheal Abraham did everything in her power to protect herself.”
Repeated Arrests and Escalating Violence
Court records show Adan had been arrested multiple times in 2022 for domestic violence offenses involving Abraham.
In May 2022, Abraham told police Adan punched her twice in the head during an argument. In June, she obtained a restraining order after reporting that he strangled her multiple times and threatened to kill her, allegedly telling her, “I’m going to put you to sleep.”
Officers who responded observed visible injuries, including a black eye and facial swelling.
At Adan’s arraignment, Abraham pleaded with the judge not to release him.
“Judge, please hold him,” she said, according to prosecutors. “Strangulation cases lead to homicide, and I don’t want to be a victim to this.”
Despite those warnings, Adan was released with GPS monitoring. Prosecutors say he later cut off the monitor and returned to the apartment in violation of court orders.
Bail Lowered, Then Paid by Activist Group
After another arrest on Aug. 11, 2022 — following an alleged assault involving prayer beads — Adan was held in custody. Over strong objections from the state, the court lowered his bail to $20,000.
The Portland Freedom Fund paid the bail, and Adan was released on Aug. 22, 2022.
Five days later, prosecutors say, he cut off his GPS monitor, returned to the apartment, and murdered Abraham.
The medical examiner determined that Abraham died by strangulation after sustaining severe knife wounds to her face and body.
Prosecutors Cite Known Lethality Risk Factors
At sentencing, Marrero said the decision to release Adan had fatal consequences, according to reporting by The Oregonian.
“This case involved multiple well-documented risk factors for intimate-partner homicide,” the district attorney’s office said, pointing specifically to prior strangulation, threats to kill, and repeated violations of court orders.
“By bailing out the defendant, those risk factors were ignored,” prosecutors said. “That decision led directly to her death.”
Adan also stands convicted on multiple additional charges unrelated to the homicide, including felony strangulation, domestic violence, contempt of court, DUII, and unlawful firearm possession.
In a brief statement to the court, Adan said, “I wish I could bring her back, even taking my own life if I had to.”
Prosecutors concluded their statement by emphasizing that Abraham had sought help repeatedly and followed every legal avenue available to her.
“Racheal deserved better,” Marrero said. “Her children deserved better. She should still be alive today.”
