Person of interest in cop slaying has criminal background

Rafael Jones, 23, was arrested on Wednesday and is considered a “person of interest” in the slaying of Philadelphia Police Officer Moses Walker Jr.

Jones has a history of robbery and weapons arrests, including one for which he’s currently on probation.

Jones was denied early parole twice on the weapons charge, according to Leo Dunn, spokesman for the Pennsylvania Board of Probation.

“Once in July of ’09 when he was refused parole, Once in March of ’11 where he was refused parole and told to serve his maximum sentence,” Dunn said. “He then maxed out in October of ’11 and then moved over to a county probation.”

Jones was denied parole in July 2009 for several reasons. He was considered a risk to the community and there were reports of misconduct while behind bars, Dunn said.

The probation after he served his sentence was a “special probation,” where the state was in charge of oversight but a common pleas judge imposed conditions in the case.