Ex-cop loses leniency bid

Judge keeps Raja on house arrest

Add lawn mowing to the list of things former police officer Nouman Raja is allowed to do while on house arrest awaiting trial in the shooting death of stranded motorist Corey Jones.

Raja testified Thursday in an unsuccessful bid to be cut loose from house arrest, after nearly a year under the condition of his $250,000 bond on two felony charges.

Palm Beach County Circuit Judge Samantha Schosberg Feuer denied the request, after hearing Jones’ aunt and father join the prosecutor in denouncing the idea of making life easier for Raja before the trial, set to start Oct. 30.

The judge only agreed to let Raja leave his house to mow his lawn so he could fire his landscaper and save about $200 a month. Other previous permissions will remain: He can get monthly haircuts, pump gas in his car, take his kids to school and to camp while en route to work, and attend religious services.

Chief Assistant State Attorney Brian Fernandes said Raja is “not presumed innocent” as far as his office is concerned.

“We’re prosecuting a killer, plain and simple!” Fernandes said, citing the recording of a phone call between Jones and a roadside assistance operator that captured sounds of the shooting at 3:15 a.m. Oct. 18, 2015.

Raja was arrested June 1, 2016, after a grand jury’s finding that his “use of force” was unjustified when he shot and killed Jones.

Raja, 39, pleaded not guilty Thursday to updated charges