Joel Castón (/dʒoʊˈɛl kæsˈtoʊn/, joe-EL kas-TONE[4]) is an American politician and convicted murderer who is currently serving on the Washington, D.C.
In 2021, Castón was elected to serve as the commissioner for Advisory Neighborhood Commission (ANC) district 7F07 while imprisoned in the D.C.
[8][9] Castón was raised in Ward 8 of Washington, D.C.[6] His parents separated when he was a child due to his dad's alcoholism.
[6] In November 1994, Castón was charged with first degree murder in the shooting death of Rafiq Washington which occurred on August 14, 1994.
Castón also led a jail newspaper and wrote papers on criminal justice reform.
[6][14] In November, 2020, Castón sought to run for the vacant Advisory Neighborhood Commission seat 7F07, but was disqualified due to his voter registration showing his old address in Ward 8.
A vote on Castón's nomination, scheduled for January 9, 2024, was postponed by D.C. Council chairman Phil Mendelson, saying that the temperature was "too high" after Graves' objections.
[8][24][25] A majority of council members favored Castón's appointment, while mayor Muriel Bowser supported Graves' concerns.