NEWARK, N.J. — 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 University 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 health worker’s workplace will decide the reason for dying and an investigation is underway, he mentioned.

Ray had been discovered unconscious in his cell on Sunday night, in keeping with 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 residence 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 a neighborhood financial institution, picked up his daughter from faculty 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 the United States 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 costs, prosecutors mentioned. He confronted 30 years to life in jail, NJ.com reported.

“He was reasonably stoic,” recalled Thomas Ashley, one in all two protection attorneys on the two-month trial in Newark. “He didn’t show any emotion.”

Raised in Brooklyn, Ray served as a Marine after which spent two years as a New York City police officer earlier than incomes an M.B.A. and going to legislation faculty.

Ashley instructed NJ.com that he hadn’t met with Ray since his conviction, however he mentioned Ray appeared resigned as the decision was learn.

“This is a tragic ending to a tragic story,” Ashley mentioned.

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