Ex-cop, lawyers can view evidence

Lawyers for former police officer Nouman Raja are now permitted to examine evidence outside the presence of prosecutors who are seeking a conviction in the shooting death of stranded motorist Corey Jones two years ago.

And Raja can join them if he wants.

Palm Beach County Circuit Judge Samantha Schosberg Feuer on Wednesday granted the defense request, which comes about five months before the April 2 start of jury selection.

The 40-year-old ex-Palm Beach Gardens cop is charged with two crimes in the Oct. 18, 2015 killing of Jones: manslaughter by culpable negligence while armed, and attempted firstdegree murder with a firearm.

Jones’ loved ones said after Wednesday’s hearing that the wait for justice has been difficult.

“I really just want all of this to be over so I can have some closure,” said Clinton Jones Sr., father of Corey Jones.

Sheila Banks, godmother to Jones and an aunt on his mother’s side, said it troubled her that Raja will be allowed to examine the evidence along with his legal team.

Chief Assistant State Attorney Brian Fernandes objected to the private inspection and allowing Raja to attend it.

Raja, who has been on house arrest under the terms of a $250,000 bond, did not attend the hearing.

Attorney Richard Lubin argued the defense has a right to look at the evidence and talk about it without the prosecutors or investigators listening and watching.

“We just don’t want them in our business,” Lubin said.

Jones, a Delray Beach housing inspector and a church drummer, was driving home from a performance with his reggae band when his SUV broke down and he became stranded near an Interstate 95 southbound exit ramp at 1:30 a.m.

Raja approached the 31-year-old Jones in an unmarked cargo van in plain clothes without identifying himself as a police officer, prosecutors say.

But Raja has said he identified himself as a cop and was threatened at gunpoint by Jones.