A New Jersey lawyer who confronted a prolonged sentence for murdering his longtime girlfriend earlier than fleeing to Cuba 5 years in the past died Sunday after he was discovered unconscious in his cell, authorities mentioned.
James Ray III, 60, was pronounced lifeless Sunday at College Hospital in Newark, the place he had been taken following a medical emergency name on the county correctional facility, Essex County’s chief of workers, Phil Alagia, mentioned in an announcement.
The medical expert’s workplace will decide the reason for demise and an investigation is underway, he mentioned.
Ray had been discovered unconscious in his cell on Sunday night, based on Jim Troisi, the vice chairman of the union representing high-ranking jail workers.
A sergeant who discovered him administered Narcan, a drug that treats overdoses, earlier than he was taken to the hospital, Troisi mentioned.
Authorities mentioned Ray shot 44-year-old Angela Bledsoe in October 2018 of their Montclair house after she dropped their daughter off at college.
Prosecutors mentioned she had been planning to maneuver out and was scheduled to satisfy with a realtor that day. Ray argued he acted in self-defense.
After the slaying, Ray ready a number of paperwork, withdrew checks and money from an area financial institution, picked up his daughter from college and dropped her off along with his brother at a New Jersey restaurant, after which fled to Mexico and Cuba, authorities mentioned.
His life as a fugitive didn’t final lengthy — he was returned to america in November 2018 and has been in custody ever since.
Jurors deliberated for simply three hours final month earlier than convicting Ray of first-degree homicide and weapons prices, prosecutors mentioned.
He confronted 30 years to life in jail, NJ.com reported.
“He was fairly stoic,” recalled Thomas Ashley, considered one of two protection attorneys on the two-month trial in Newark. “He didn’t present any emotion.”
Raised in Brooklyn, Ray served as a Marine after which spent two years as a New York Metropolis police officer earlier than incomes an M.B.A. and going to regulation college.
Ashley informed NJ.com that he hadn’t met with Ray since his conviction, however he mentioned Ray appeared resigned as the decision was learn.
“It is a tragic ending to a tragic story,” Ashley mentioned.
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