We, the undersigned, demand justice for Keith Washington and call on the Prince George’s County State’s Attorney’s Office to honor its commitment to fairness and accountability by reviewing Washington’s case under the newly formed Convictions and Sentencing Integrity Unit.

Keith Washington, a former police officer and U.S. Army veteran, was convicted in 2008 of involuntary manslaughter under circumstances that continue to raise serious concerns about the fairness of his trial. His conviction was accompanied by troubling allegations of prosecutorial misconduct, suppressed evidence, and systemic failures that denied him a fair chance to defend himself.

Despite his release from prison in 2021 after serving more than 13 years of an excessive 45-year sentence, Washington has yet to receive the full exoneration he deserves. The failure to review his case undermines the stated mission of the Convictions and Sentencing Integrity Unit and raises critical questions about its effectiveness and sincerity.

Key Points of Concern:

 1. Suppressed Evidence: The criminal history and drug use of Robert White, one of the individuals involved in the incident, were not fully disclosed to Washington’s defense during his trial.

 2. Employment Irregularities: Questions remain as to why White and his companion were dispatched to Washington’s home, despite evidence suggesting they were not official employees of the furniture company.

 3. Prosecutorial Misconduct: Allegations that prosecutors mischaracterized evidence and withheld crucial information cast doubt on the integrity of the trial.

 4. Racial Bias and Systemic Issues: The handling of Washington’s case reflects broader issues of racial and systemic bias that continue to plague the justice system in Prince George’s County.

Why This Matters:

As Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. once said, “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.” By ignoring Keith Washington’s case, the State’s Attorney’s Office not only harms an individual but also undermines the public’s faith in the justice system. This case highlights systemic failures that must be addressed for Prince George’s County to live up to its ideals of fairness and accountability.

The Convictions and Sentencing Integrity Unit was established to correct miscarriages of justice, yet it has failed to address Washington’s case—a high-profile example of the very injustices it claims to combat. This inaction not only harms Washington but also diminishes public trust in the county’s justice system.

As Malcolm X stated, “You can’t separate peace from freedom because no one can be at peace unless he has his freedom.” Keith Washington and others like him deserve the opportunity to reclaim not just their freedom but their peace of mind and dignity.

Our Demands:

 1. Conduct a full and transparent review of Keith Washington’s conviction to determine whether prosecutorial misconduct, suppressed evidence, or other systemic issues contributed to an unjust outcome.

 2. Publicly release findings from the review and take necessary steps to correct any identified wrongs, including advocating for Washington’s exoneration if warranted.

 3. Commit to applying the same level of scrutiny and fairness to all cases handled by the Convictions and Sentencing Integrity Unit.

Justice delayed is justice denied. The people of Prince George’s County deserve a justice system that operates with transparency, integrity, and a commitment to correcting its mistakes.

Sign this petition to demand action from Aisha Braveboy and the Convictions and Sentencing Integrity Unit. Let’s hold our justice system accountable and fight for a fair review of Keith Washington’s case.