Alleged gang members often cry when arrested, expert tells court
Alleged gang members often cry when they are arrested and ask for their mothers, a police officer revealed.Sergeant Alexander Rollin of the Gang Targeting Unit told Supreme Court on Friday that tears roll “more than you can imagine” in his experience with allegedly tough men.His remarks came as he was cross examined by Marc Daniels, the defence lawyer for alleged gang member and gunman Anwar Muhammad.Mr Daniels suggested photographs depicting Mr Muhammad, 22, making gang signs including a gun gesture could just be him “acting hard” for the camera. He went on to make the point that “acting tough” is part of street culture and does not make someone a criminal.However, the exchange prompted trial judge Carlisle Greaves to interject that “tough men weep” too.Mr Muhammad is alleged to have been one of two men who perpetrated a drive-by shooting near the Maximart store in Sandys on August 3, 2010. Victim Princeton Burrows, then 19, was left injured.According to Sgt Rollin, Mr Burrows had links to the White Hill Crew, which is based elsewhere in Sandys and has a “beef” with MOB.He also told the jury the barber shop Mr Muhammad ran in Somerset was known as a hangout for members of MOB and Mr Muhammad has MOB tattooed on his hand.However, Mr Daniels dismissed the tattoo as something his client got at the age of 16 under the influence of friends. He also suggested to Sgt Rollin that even if someone is a gang member, it does not mean they are willing to use a gun.“I would have to agree with that,” replied the officer.Mr Daniels said Sgt Rollin could not determine whether Mr Muhammad was a “shotcaller” at the top of MOB or a lower ranking “soldier”.The officer agreed, but said he did know Mr Muhammad had a role in the gang based on “underworld” information and “intelligence I can’t bring to the court”.Mr Muhammad denies charges of attempted murder and using a firearm to commit attempted murder, and the case continues.