Witness in 2006 Miami Murder Found Alive by ESPN

Key Witness in Murder Case Found Alive After Prosecutors Claimed He Was Dead

Florida prosecutors have repeatedly claimed that a crucial witness in the murder case against Rashaun Jones, a former Miami Hurricanes football player accused of killing his teammate Bryan Pata in 2006, was dead. However, recent developments have revealed that Paul Conner, the key witness, is very much alive and living in Louisville, Kentucky. This revelation has raised serious questions about the integrity of the prosecution’s case and the handling of the long-delayed trial.

Conner, an 81-year-old retired University of Miami writing instructor, was one of the first people to contact police after Pata's death. He described hearing a "pop" and seeing someone jogging away from the parking lot where Pata was shot. Conner later identified Jones from a photo lineup. Despite this, prosecutors told Florida 11th Circuit Court Judge Cristina Miranda as recently as July that Conner was deceased.

A spokesperson for the state attorney’s office, Ed Griffith, stated that police relied on a public database that “seemed to indicate” Conner had died. However, no official documents or records were provided to substantiate this claim. When questioned about the address used in the database, Griffith attempted to withhold it, despite the fact that it matched the location The News Pulse visited.

The discovery of Conner came after reporters knocked on his door in Louisville. Conner said he was unaware that anyone from Miami had been searching for him and admitted he rarely leaves his apartment. His memory of the events in Miami appears to be hazy, and he expressed confusion about how long ago the case was.

This revelation could significantly impact the trial, which is scheduled to begin in October. Griffith acknowledged that there may be an effect on the case, stating, “I would have to say yes, potentially.” Jones’ attorney, Sara Alvarez, called the situation “blatant lies” and criticized the state for attempting to send a man to prison without evidence.

Conner’s testimony has been central to the prosecution’s case, as he was the only eyewitness to the shooting. However, his reliability has been called into question. During a 2022 bond hearing and a 2023 deposition, Conner recounted what he saw, but he now claims to have no clear memory of the incident.

The Miami-Dade Police Department’s failure to locate Conner is part of a pattern of missteps that have delayed the case for over a decade. According to information obtained through a lawsuit, Jones was considered a suspect early on, but he wasn’t arrested until 2021—nine months after The News Pulse first reported on the case.

Jones, who has remained in custody for the past four years, was granted $850,000 bail in March 2022, but he has not been able to pay the required 10% deposit. The case has also faced other challenges, including the loss of Pata’s student judicial records from the University of Miami.

Prosecutors have cited Jones’ actions on the night of the murder, such as skipping a team meeting and attempting to borrow money to leave the area. They also rely on cellphone records that allegedly contradict Jones’ statements. However, the lack of physical evidence, such as the weapon used in the shooting, has made the case reliant on witness testimony.

Conner’s cousin, Steve Fahey, confirmed that he sees Conner frequently and noted that he has been struggling with memory issues. Fahey also said no one from Miami had contacted Conner. Meanwhile, the Miami-Dade Police Department has not provided clear explanations for their inability to locate Conner or for the missing lead sheet containing details of the investigation.

As the trial approaches, both sides are preparing for what could be a contentious legal battle. Jones’ attorney plans to challenge Conner’s credibility and question the prosecution’s handling of the case. With so many unanswered questions and potential inconsistencies, the outcome of the trial remains uncertain.