As friends and family continue to mourn the death of Officer Moses Walker Jr., questions remain about why his alleged killer was out of prison.
NBC10 obtained documents revealing murder suspect Rafael Jones was visiting the state probation office in North Philadelphia three days before Walker was killed. A sign-in sheet from August 15 shows Jones came to the office at 3:50 p.m. that day to see his probation officer, Agent Jose Rodriguez. Sources tell NBC10 Jones was told to come in for the appointment because he failed a drug urine test on August 10.
Court documents reveal Jones was on a special probation from Judge Susan Schulman after serving four years in state prison for a gun charge. According to the documents, Schulman was concerned that Jones was arrested again for robbery. While the charges were dropped, Schulman still ordered Jones to be placed under house arrest with electronic monitoring. A transcript shows Schulman warned Jones about drug testing, stating, “there will be no positives, Mr. Jones. One positive, Agent Rodriguez, you drop the detainer,” meaning Jones would go back to jail.
Parole officers tell NBC10 Rodriguez asked for a warrant for Jones’ arrest on August 15 but it was denied by a supervisor, who has not yet been identified. NBC10 tried to contact Rodriguez but was unable to reach him for comment.
A spokesperson for the Pa. Board of Probation and Parole stated the following:
We have no further comment on this matter. Our procedures regarding arrests and warrants are confidential.
The board also told NBC10 they will review their policy on electronic monitoring. Jones was not under house arrest at the time of Officer Walker’s murder because he didn’t have a land line telephone to accommodate an electronic monitor.
Jones walked out of the office on August 15. Jones is accused of shooting and killing Officer Walker on August 18. The Pa. Board of Probation and Parole says the case is under investigation.
