The judge said he thought “a million different times” about what to say Thursday while sentencing ex-cop Nouman Raja for the fatal shooting of stranded motorist Corey Jones.
Palm Beach County Circuit Judge Joseph Marx called it his “thankless job” to deliver a punishment — which for Raja is a 25-year prison term that must be served in its entirety without any possible credit for good behavior.
“This has been a heartbreaking case,” the judge said of the tragedy that happened at 3:15 a.m. Oct. 18, 2015 on a southbound Interstate 95 exit-ramp in Palm Beach Gardens.
A drummer in a reggae band, Jones, 31, was trying to get a tow truck for his broken down SUV after a gig, when he was confronted by Raja, who had been working a plainclothes car burglary operation.
The jury on March 7 rejected Raja’s self-defense claim of being threatened at gunpoint even after telling Jones he was a cop.
Raja, 41, was found guilty of two charges, which on the surface appear to be contradictory, but Marx ruled were proper.
One conviction is manslaughter by culpable negligence, for all of the circumstances that led to Jones’ death, and the second conviction is attempted first-degree murder, for three bullets that missed hitting Jones.
The verdict marked the first time in the past 30 years in Florida that a cop was convicted for an on-duty police shooting.
When Raja returned to the courtroom Thursday in blue jail scrubs and a shaggy salt-and-pepper beard, he sat with his legal team but did not make a public statement.
After the hearing, his lawyers said they would appeal the convictions and punishment. They are also planning to seek a bond so Raja can return to house arrest while his appeal is pending.
Karine Raja, his wife, told reporters she was “not surprised” by the sentence but otherwise declined to comment.
Earlier, she described to the judge how she felt angry about the way prosecutors called her husband of 16 years a killer.
“My husband the hunter, the monster, the angel of death,” Raja bristled, telling Marx how her spouse always has been caring and a wonderful father to their 7- and 9-year-old children — and has sent them letters every day from the jail.
And she also acknowledged the loss felt by Jones’ loved ones: “Privately we also mourn for the Jones family.”
Marx explained how under state law he was required to give Nouman Raja at least 25 years for the attempted first-degree murder count.
The judge denied a request from Raja’s attorneys to throw out that conviction. Prosecutors and Jones’ family asked for the maximum possible sentence of life in prison for that charge.
“Keep him in prison for the rest of his natural life,” urged Sheila Banks, maternal aunt and godmother of Jones. She said it’s upsetting how Raja hasn’t shown any remorse.
Chief Assistant State Attorney Adrienne Ellis noted how the key piece of evidence in the case — Jones’ recorded call for roadside assistance — proves Raja acted aggressively by coming at Jones with a gun and screaming profanities.
“Corey essentially begged (Raja) not to kill him,” Ellis said. “Corey did nothing wrong. He did everything right and yet he still lost his life.”
Jones was hit by bullets in each arm, along with a fatal shot that tore through his heart and both lungs. Jones’ licensed .380-caliber handgun gun, which prosecutors said he had only for protection, was found 41 yards from his body, never fired.
Defense attorney Richard Lubin, reprising his argument from the trial, said Raja acted within his duties as a law enforcement officer and reacted to a real threat from Jones.
“We know without any doubt (Raja) saw a gun … pointed at him,” Lubin said.
Marx also sentenced Raja to another 25-year term — but to run at the same time – for the manslaughter conviction.
Raja’s lawyers had asked for him to get the minimum possible 14 years according to state sentencing guidelines, while prosecutors wanted the maximum possible punishment of 30 years for the manslaughter.
The judge surmised that his decision Thursday would leave some level of disappointment on both sides, while the ultimate call is up to the 4th District Court of Appeal.
“I’m hoping that, moving forward, people can have some peace in their lives, and I know that for the Raja family that’s, in some ways, impossible,” he said.
Jones’ family rejoiced after the sentencing, declaring victory through song and statements to the media.
“You can finally rest in peace, bro,” said Corey’s little sister, C’evon Jones. “The truth shall prevail.”
Clinton Jones, Sr., Corey’s father, wearing a black ball-cap with the Superman logo in gold, declared, “Victory is ours today.”
Bishop Sylvester Banks, Corey’s maternal grandfather, said, “Praise the lord for the victory … oh what a blessing today … we believe justice has been served.”
Ben Crump, attorney for Corey’s paternal side, cheered the sentencing as “a milestone in black America because often we don’t see police be convicted and sentenced for killing our children.”
Before the sentencing, defense attorney Lubin accused prosecutors and some in the media of feeding a “narrative” that race had played a part in the case. He said it was unfair to lump the shooting in with other police killings of young black men across the country.
“When they talk about him being a racist, they got the wrong guy,” Lubin said, pointing out that Raja has a Pakistani heritage.
Crump told reporters that he hopes a wrongful death civil lawsuit against Raja and the city of Palm Beach Gardens can proceed now that the criminal case has concluded.
“Nothing can bring Corey back, but as we stand here today, we have made history,” Crump added.
The last time a cop in Florida was actually convicted for an on-duty killing was in Miami in 1989.