Former Orr High School Basketball Star Sentenced to 14 Years for Murder
Drake’s Troubling Past
Raekwon Drake, a former standout basketball player at Orr Academy High School, was sentenced to 14 years in prison for the “execution-style” killing of Martin Palafox, a 26-year-old man who had taken off with his French bulldog.
Drake had managed to avoid trouble despite growing up in a West Side neighborhood wracked by violence and crime. He led the Orr Academy High School basketball team to a pair of state championships, then became a standout on a junior college team and was set to finish his degree at Post University in Connecticut on a full-ride scholarship.
The Fateful Night
On July 10, 2021, three men began following Drake as he walked his bulldog. Drake ran to his apartment and left the dog outside as he bolted upstairs and grabbed a gun. Palafox, who had a record of drug and gun arrests, and two other men had taken off with the dog — and Drake gave chase.
Palafox threw the bulldog to the ground, and Drake and his girlfriend began attacking the would-be dog-napper. Then, as Palafox lay on the ground with his hands raised, Drake killed him.
Drake “put the gun to the back of his head, looked around and he pulled the trigger,” Assistant State’s Attorney Jennifer Cooper said. “He executed that man as he lay in the street.”
After the initial shooting, the two men who were with Palafox fired back, striking Drake and his girlfriend. Drake was struck in the lung.
The Sentence
Judge Laura Ayala-Gonzalez highlighted video footage that she said showed a deeply disturbing moment in an otherwise commendable life, noting that Drake had overcome a difficult childhood and seemed poised for a bright future.
“You had ability and all of your dreams in one hand, and you yourself shattered all those dreams on your own,” she said.
“I understand things happen so fast, and there are times that you are in such a rage that you leave all common sense and you leave all reason behind. Two wrongs do not make a right. Whether or not you know that yet, you will have time to think about that.”
Drake could spend as little as four years in prison, after deducting the time he already served in jail awaiting trial and factoring in potential credit for good behavior that could cut his total sentence in half.
Conclusion
Drake’s sentence is a stark reminder of the devastating consequences of violence and the importance of holding individuals accountable for their actions. While Drake’s basketball career may have been marked by success, his actions on that fateful night will forever define his legacy.
FAQs
Q: What was the motive behind the murder?
A: The motive was the theft of Drake’s French bulldog.
Q: How long did Drake serve in jail awaiting trial?
A: Nearly three years.
Q: What was the minimum sentence Drake could have faced if convicted of first-degree murder?
A: 45 years in prison.
Q: How long could Drake potentially spend in prison?
A: As little as four years, after deducting time served and factoring in potential credit for good behavior.
