Corbett Opens Probe Into Cop Shooting Suspect's Parole Release
By Tony Romeo
HARRISBURG, Pa. (CBS) - Pennsylvania Governor Tom Corbett wants the state parole board to investigate the circumstances surrounding the release of a 23-year-old man accused of killing an off-duty Philadelphia police officer.
Electronic monitoring was supposed to be a condition of release when Rafael Jones (pictured, right) was freed from jail, but Jones was not being monitored when he allegedly shot Officer Moses Walker, Junior. Jones also reportedly remained free despite failing a drug test.
Kevin Harley, spokesman for Governor Corbett, says, "Governor Corbett has ordered [the] Probation and Parole [Board] to conduct an internal investigation to determine whether the correct policy has been followed, and whether there have been any employee errors. The governor wants to know the facts."
Jones was released from jail August 8th, just 10 days before officer Walker was shot during a robbery after completing an overnight shift in North Philadelphia.
In a written statement, the governor says the Commonwealth and the law enforcement community have lost a "great man."
