Raymond Merchant Case Update: Trial Date April 5th - Support Needed!

Raymond cooks and redistributes food through the grassroots group Minneapolis Food Not Bombs. He is a former childcare worker and loved member of his community.



On December 31st, Raymond Merchant appeared in front of Hennepin County Judge Barnette for a scheduling of his trial date. After brief discussion in chambers, Judge Barnett, the prosecutor, and Raymond's attorney Robert Kolstad settled on trial beginning Monday April 5th at 9am. The trial is expected to last three or four days including jury selection.

Kolstad said of their trial preparations, "This is going to be a tough trial and we have a lot of work to do. There was no actual proof of robbery on Ray, no gun was found, and there was never an actual police lineup of suspects, but we still have our job cut out for us. We're thankful to have a number of volunteers who will help with the investigation."

Supporters are encouraged to attend the trial which will be held at the Hennepin County Government Center, 300 S 6th St, Minneapolis


..a little background on AC's case....

Raymond Merchant, aka AC is a father of two, Hip Hop artist, and community organizer in South Minneapolis. Missing for several days in late October, friends became worried when Raymond failed to arrive to a show he was scheduled to perform at. After contacting his family, it was confirmed he had been abducted by police just blocks from his home while out for a walk.

On the evening of October 28th, Raymond was arrested on his way to a corner market to buy a cup of coffee. Unaware of a robbery being committed just blocks away, Ray walked north along Portland Ave towards 35th Street, the scene of the crime. As he was walking he was stopped by police and was taken into custody as a suspect in the armed robbery of two individuals. While the police and prosecution would like to make this an open and shut case, saying he "fits the description" as a Black man walking nearby the crime site, a simple reading of the facts tells an entirely different story. Raymond was walking TOWARDS the area where the robbery allegedly occurred, which would seem odd if he was guilty of a robbery at that location or even had any prior knowledge of it. When initially stopped by the police, Ray was immersed in his own thoughts and his music. He did not flee when stopped nor was he observed dropping or throwing anything and yet when searched he was found to have no money (save the 75 cents for coffee), no property of the victims on his person, and no gun. This was just minutes after the robbery took place. While it is true that the two victims IDed him as the robber, there was never a police line-up or any further investigation on the part of the police for the gun, stolen property, additional witnesses, or other suspects.

While in jail, Raymond had no access to functioning phones and it was not until a week and a half after his arrest that friends learned that he was stuck in jail and unable to communicate. He used the time he spent in jail to meditate and exercise, write lyrics and read books. He said he sensed that people on the outside were working on the case and he trusted in the Creator that things would work out in his favor as an innocent person. A bond of $2000 was posted and he was released November 21st, amazingly composed with a resolve to beat his charges. He has been told that he is facing up to 4 years in jail for these alleged crimes.

Ray's challenge from the court has recently been set to begin the week of April 5th and we urge you to show support for him as he undergoes this ordeal and join him in court in solidarity. Despite this, Ray has gained new focus and remains confident he will come through this trial unharmed. "I know that this isn't just about me, there's a lot of other people going through this same exact thing, and I'm trying to look at this as part of a larger context of government repression. I've been able to take a negative thing and put a positive spin on it - while I was in there I had time to think and reflect and I know what I have to do and I have faith that I will get through this." Having already spent over three weeks in jail needlessly, Ray emphasizes the good that he found in people in jail and the immense need for support that some of his peers needed but had no access to. He recalled getting letters, and how much that made a difference in his day and expressed that this kind of solidarity be extended to people outside of our own immediate spheres.

http://www.raymondmerchant.com/content/case-update-court-date-set-april-5th