Sun Sentinel Palm Beach Edition
Which shot killed Corey Jones is unclear
Prosecutors on Friday revealed they don’t know which of the six shots from ex-cop Nouman Raja’s gun is the one that killed stranded motorist Corey Jones along an Interstate 95 offramp.
But that isn’t stopping them from seeking to convict the former Palm Beach Gardens officer on two charges: manslaughter and attempted murder. Jones, 31, was hit three times and died from a bullet in his chest on Oct. 18, 2015, according to autopsy findings.
The revelation about the mystery of the fatal shot came during the latest hearing on the high-profile case before Circuit Judge Samantha Schosberg Feuer. Raja was not present in the courtroom; his attendance was excused.
Both the prosecution and the defense say they are preparing for a mini-trial only before the judge on March 28-29, concerning Raja’s attempt to have the charges dismissed under a “stand your ground” self-defense claim.
Raja, 40, says he fired because Jones pointed his gun at the plainclothes officer, when he tried to find out why Jones’ SUV was parked on the side of the ramp.
If the charges remain, a jury trial would begin July 16.
“We expect that justice will be served,” said Clinton Jones Sr., father of the shooting victim. “That’s what we’re looking forward to.”
Friday’s hearing concerned a separate motion by the defense for more information about what led to each charge filed when Raja was arrested June 1, 2016, after a grand jury concluded his use of force was “unjustified.”
Raja’s lead attorney, Richard Lubin, argued while the evidence shows there were two volleys of three shots each, none of the investigators can say which bullet caused Jones’ death.
“Not one witness can tell when the fatal shot – that led to the manslaughter — was fired,” Lubin said, adding his legal team needs to know that answer to properly defend their client.
He said it appears the manslaughter count is based on the fatal shot happening right away, with the attempted murder count based on shots that were fired after Jones began running. Jones’ gun was found unused.
Assistant State Attorney Brian Fernandes said prosecutors are under no obligation to further explain the charges, calling the defense argument a ploy to make prosecutors reveal their trial strategy. He acknowledged, though, what Lubin had pointed out.
“I don’t know which of those six shots individually is the single shot that killed Corey Jones,” Fernandes said. “That still does not preclude the state from advancing on the two charges.”
Judge Schosberg Feuer denied the defense motion, noting, “The state is not required to prove its entire case before trial.”