Former Cop Convicted In Florida Shooting Death Of Black Musician

WEST PALM BEACH, FL — A former Florida police officer was found guilty Thursday of manslaughter and attempted first-degree murder in connection with the 2015 shooting death of Corey Jones, a 31-year-old black musician, who had gotten out of his broken-down SUV when he was confronted by Palm Beach Gardens Officer Nouman Raja.

Raja was the first Florida officer convicted of an on-duty killing since Miami’s William Lozano in 1989. The Hispanic officer fatally shot a black motorcyclist who he said tried to hit him. A passenger died when the motorcycle crashed. The deaths resulted in three days of rioting.

A Palm Beach County jury had been deliberating since Wednesday in the case of Raja, who now faces up to life in prison when he’s sentenced at 1:30 p.m. on April 26.

Prior to the jury announcing its verdict shortly after 9 a.m., Judge Joseph Marx told jurors they had a "unique privilege" to decide whether or not they wanted to publicly discuss their deliberations.

"If anybody harasses you, I want to know," Marx counseled.

Raja showed no reaction as the verdict was read aloud in the Palm Beach County courtroom. He was taken into custody shortly thereafter.

Jones' brother, former National Football League player C.J. Jones, said Thursday’s verdict shows justice was served.

Attorneys Ben Crump, Daryl Parks, Skinner Louis and Kweku Darfoor on behalf of the Jones family said the verdict will allow the family to begin the healing process.

“This verdict is a vindication of the good man that was Corey Jones, and an utter repudiation of a criminal who tried to hide behind a badge," the attorneys said. "We see what can happen when prosecutors have the dedication to charge an on-duty law enforcement officer in the murder of an innocent black man, and what can happen when a thoughtful judge rejects a shameless ploy to use Florida’s questionable Stand Your Ground law as a shield against wrongdoing."

The officer was in plain clothes and driving an unmarked white van when he drove the wrong way up a darkened off ramp to Jones’ stalled SUV. Prosecutors said an audio recording showed Raja never identified himself and approached Jones aggressively, making him believe he was being robbed. They say that caused Jones to pull his legally possessed handgun. Raja then shot him repeatedly.

Raja’s attorneys had said he identified himself and justifiably shot Jones because he feared for his life. Raja is of South Asian descent.

Raja's supervisor testified during the trial that the officer had been told to don a police vest if he approached a civilian, something he did not do. Prosecutors also questioned why Raja didn't pull his badge from his pocket.

What police didn't know at first was that Jones had been talking to a tow-truck dispatcher on a recorded line. That recording captured Jones saying "Huh?" as his door opens. Raja yells, "You good?" Jones says he is. Raja replies twice, "Really?" with Jones replying "Yeah."

Suddenly, Raja shouts at Jones to raise his hands, using an expletive. Jones replies, "Hold on!" and Raja repeats his demand.

Prosecutors believe Jones pulled his gun and tried to get away. Raja fired three shots; Jones ran down an embankment. Prosecutors said he threw his gun, found 125 feet from his body, but Raja fired three more times, 10 seconds after the first volley. Jones was killed by a bullet through his heart.

The Associated Press contributed to this article.