Ex-Palm Beach Gardens officer accused of murder bonds out

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (WSVN) – Moments after former Palm Beach Gardens officer Nouman Raja was officially charged in the murder of Corey Jones, Thursday morning, Jones’ immediate family members spoke out about the loss of their beloved son in a press conference.

Bail was set for Raja, Thursday, at $250,000, based on the charges stemming from the Oct. 18 shooting of 31-year-old Corey Jones. On Wednesday, Raja was arrested on charges of manslaughter by culpable negligence and attempted first-degree murder with a firearm. Raja has since posted bond.

The family’s press conference, Thursday, began with an introduction from attorney Daryl Parks who thanked the Palm Beach County State Attorney’s Office, the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office and the FBI for their involvement in the case.

He also credited the release of an audio recording from a tow trunk company as instrumental to the charges. “Without question, although we didn’t know when this first happened, we knew that that recording from AT&T would be pivotal in this case,” said Parks.

Jones’ stepmother, Katie Jones, was among several family members to speak after Parks. “Seven months ago, Corey Jones’ life was stolen from him,” she said. “Corey would never know that the thief that stole his life was a police officer. Why? Because he never identified himself as a police officer. Seven months ago, that police officer described our son as a gun-wielding attacker. Seven months ago, that police officer said he told Corey he was a police officer. Seven months ago, that police officer lied.”

Jones’ sister, Melissa Jones, also spoke during the press conference. “From day one, we’ve been saying that my brother is peaceful, but we already knew what the truth was because we know his character,” she said.

Family attorney Benjamin Crump also emphasized the importance of the audio recording. “First of all, we want to thank God for that audio tape that was recorded by that tow truck company,” he said. “If it wasn’t for that audio tape, then the officer would have probably gotten away with the lie.”

Crump also noted that Jones was shot in the back. “The bullet went through his heart and both his lungs,” he said. “Corey Jones should not have been shot.”

According to the grand jury report, the encounter between Raja and Corey began when Raja approached Corey, asking him if he was good. Corey responded, “Yeah, I’m good.”

Raja replied, “Really?”

Corey again replied, “Yeah.”

Raja then said, “Get your [expletive] hands up! Get your [expletive] hands up!”

Corey responded, “Hold on!”

Raja then said, “Get your [expletive] hands up! Drop!”

The report continues on to say Raja then fired three shots, waited a few seconds and then fired three more times.

The grand jury also said, “Raja chose to approach Corey Jones’ vehicle in a tactically unsound, unsafe and grossly negligent manner.”

The family and their lawyers praised the good police in the system and spoke to their desire to see justice done for Jones. “He should be held to the highest standard of the law,” said Jones’ brother Clinton Jones Jr. “He’s an officer. He shouldn’t be killing nobody. I got to say my brother got murdered from a cop. My kids are afraid of the police. Like, when is this going to stop?”

“The conduct of officer Raja was reprehensible and an insult to all good police work that is done in America,” said Crump.

Raja’s attorney, Richard Lueben, spoke out on behalf of his client. “For now, all we have is a mere accusation, which in our system, is just an accusation,” he said. “It’s just what gets the case started.”

The Palm Beach Police Benevolent Association said that in all of their years, they have never seen a situation like this. “We have spoken with many detectives, we have 35 years of experience with homicide, and none of them have ever seen a charge like this — attempted first-degree murder when a party is deceased,” said John Kazajian of the Palm Beach Police Benevolent Association. “We want law enforcement officers to hesitate before they do their jobs.”

Raja told police that he identified himself to Jones. According to the PBA, there is more to the recording of the incident. They said the first thing Jones said on the recording was “Huh?’ which indicates that Raja may have identified himself.

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