PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — One of the men convicted of shooting and killing a Philadelphia police officer more than a decade ago had his conviction overturned on Monday.
Rafael Jones was convicted of first-degree murder in 2015 for the killing of Philadelphia Police Officer Moses Walker. He was sentenced to immediate life in prison but has been appealing his conviction ever since.
Walker was shot and killed on Aug. 18, 2012, by two men — later identified as Jones and Chancier McFarland. Jones was the shooter. McFarland testified against Jones at trial.
During a hearing on Monday, Judge Jennifer Schultz overturned Jones’ conviction and ordered a new trial, citing the case’s connection to disgraced former homicide detective Philip Nordo.
Philip Nordo Philadelphia Police Department
Nordo was convicted in 2022 of sexual assault and rape, accused of using his power and position to control witnesses and informants.
Prosecutors said one victim met Nordo days after Officer Walker was killed. He was questioned by detectives after he was stopped by police for having a similar car seen fleeing the scene. He told investigators his cousin, McFarland, had a similar car.
Prosecutors said Nordo threatened the victim and raped him. The accuser later received $20,000 of the city’s homicide reward money and said Nordo falsely wrote up the paperwork claiming his tip led investigators to McFarland and Jones.
Judge Schultz said Nordo sat in on Jones’ confession. Although it was never used in the original trial, knowing what Nordo had done could have altered Jones’ defense strategy, she said.