Rontarus Washington Jr has been wrongly accused of murder for nearly six years in Lawrence, Kansas. His 6th Amendment constitutional rights are being violated, meaning he has not received a fair and speedy trial. Violations of the 6th Amendment also include “prejudice to the defendant” comprising “oppressive pretrial incarceration” and failing to limit impairment of defense (see US Supreme Court decision 1972 Barker v. Wingo, 407 U.S. 514, 530).

The State has failed to convict him with more than one trial and has thwarted reasonable efforts at proving his innocence, all while letting the husband of the deceased go free to create this trifecta of injustice. The Kansas State Constitution also guarantees the right to a speedy jury trial without delay under Bill of Rights Sections 10, 18, and 5.

Kansas State Constitution Bill of Rights Section 10 states we have the right to a “...speedy public trial by an impartial jury of the county or district in which the offense is alleged to have been committed. No person shall be a witness against himself, or be twice put in jeopardy for the same offense,” emphasis added as it describes what has happened in this case. These words are clear that this should not be happening to Mr Washington. Mr Washington should be immediately released to his family based on his federal and state civil rights being grossly violated.

You can donate to his bond fund here: https://gf.me/u/x9j32d

The District Attorney, Charles Branson, has more than one option to facilitate  release - drop all charges, offer a no contest plea for a minor offense and accept time served, etc. Please sign our petition to show that Black Lives Matter and the public will not tolerate civil rights violations. You can also call the DA’s office at 785.841.0211.