Edward Rafeedie

Edward Rafeedie (January 6, 1929 – March 25, 2008) was a United States district judge of the United States District Court for the Central District of California.

Early life and career Rafeedie was born to Palestinian immigrants in Orange, New Jersey. His family moved to Santa Monica, California when he was seven years old. He lived for a while in the Middle East before moving back to California. After graduating from Venice High School in 1946, Rafeedie traveled the carnival circuit with a portable electric horse-race game called Derby. He attended Los Angeles City College from 1946 to 1947.

He served in the United States Army from 1950 to 1952 during the Korean War. He then attended Santa Monica College from 1954 to 1955 and University of Southern California Law Center, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in 1957 and a Juris Doctor in 1959. Afterwards, he worked in private practice in Santa Monica from 1959 to 1969.

State judicial service Rafeedie was appointed as a Municipal Court Judge in 1969 by California Governor Ronald Reagan. In 1971, Governor Reagan elevated him to the Superior Court, where he served a total of 11 years. His nickname was, "Speedie Rafeedie," because of his penchant for denying trial continuances.

Federal judicial service Rafeedie was nominated by President Ronald Reagan on August 24, 1982, to a seat on the United States District Court for the Central District of California vacated by Judge David W. Williams. He was confirmed by the United States Senate on September 22, 1982, and received commission on September 24, 1982. He assumed senior status on January 6, 1996. His service was terminated on March 25, 2008, due to death. The ruling stunned the Justice Department and angered government agents. However, the United States Supreme Court later overruled his decision, holding that the extradition treaty did not prohibit kidnapping. This was due to a ruling that stated the United States Government had the right to kidnap and prosecute an alleged criminal regardless of the treaty. Immediately thereafter, a large number of countries holding treaties with the United States demanded that their treaties be amended, adding anti-kidnapping language.

Death Rafeedie died from cancer in Malibu, California on March 25, 2008, at the age of 79. He was buried at Holy Cross Cemetery, Culver City, California.