A jury heard more evidence about a violent feud between rival gangs as the murder trial of Devon Hewey continued in the Supreme Court.

Mr Hewey has denied charges of both premeditated murder and using a firearm to commit an indictable act in connection with the March 31, 2011 fatal shooting of Randy Robinson.

Acting Superintendent Alexander Rollin, a gang expert, told the court this week that in 2011, a rivalry between Parkside and 42, both Pembroke-based gangs, had escalated with a series of tit-for-tat shootings.

Mr Rollin added that those targeted in the “revenge” attacks were sometimes those in the rival gang’s “wider circle” rather than a gang member themselves.

He told the court that Mr Hewey was a member of the 42 gang, as was Jay Dill, who was previously convicted of the murder of Mr Robinson.

As the trial continued yesterday, Mr Rollin said that Mr Robinson was not a member of any gang, but he had two cousins who were members of Parkside, including one whom he described as a higher-ranking member with a lot of influence.

He told the court that Border Lane North, off Palmetto Road, where Mr Robinson was fatally shot, was associated with Parkside and that he would be concerned if he had seen members of a gang in a rival territory, as it would suggest they were looking for targets.

Mr Rollin said: “If they are discovered by their rivals, there would be some kind of confrontation. It could go from a fight up to a shooting.

“As a police officer, if I saw a gang member in rival territory, the hairs on the back of my neck would be standing up and I would look to engage. Do a traffic stop or call for support, or just make sure I am seen in a police car.”

Under cross-examination by Mr Hewey, Mr Rollin accepted that he had never been asked to make a “complete chart” of members of either Parkside or the 42 gang ― generally from St Monica’s Mission area and north of Palmetto Road.

He estimated that in 2011, there were “north of 80” gang members across the island and that the 42 gang was “not big at all” with about 20 members and associates.

Mr Rollin also accepted that not everyone associated with a gang would be involved in, or aware of, planned gang attacks.

Mr Hewey also questioned Mr Rollin about individuals who might have a personal motivation to commit an attack beyond gang involvement.

Mr Rollin said he was aware of an incident in which Mr Robinson was involved in a fight in St George’s months before his murder.

While he said he was not aware of the motivation for the incident, he accepted that the theft of a chain with sentimental value could give rise to a personal grievance.

Mr Hewey also asked about the March 1, 2011 fatal shooting of Jahmiko LeShore, whom Mr Rollin identified as a 42 member.

Mr Rollin confirmed that Mr LeShore’s brother, Jahkeo LeShore, was convicted alongside Darrion Simons of murdering David Clarke on April 17, 2011.

Mr Hewey suggested to Mr Rollin that in March 2011, Jahkeo LeShore had sent messages stating the only thing that would make him feel better about the death of his brother was “killing one or two of them personally”.

In another message, Mr Hewey said Jahkeo LeShore talked about attacking a family member of those responsible for his brother’s death.

Mr Rollin responded that he could not recall the messages but may have been aware of them at the time.

The court previously heard that Mr Robinson, a 22-year-old father, was shot while walking along Border Lane North on the evening of March 31, 2011.

A witness described seeing two people drive up on a black Honda Scoopy, with the pillion passenger shooting at the victim with a gun held in his left hand.

Dill was previously convicted of the killing, with prosecutors asserting that he was the gunman while Mr Hewey drove the motorcycle.

Prosecutors described the fatal shooting as a “gang hit”, stating that while Mr Robinson was not involved in gang activity, two of his cousins were.

Both Mr Hewey and Dill were arrested at Mr Hewey’s home in the early hours of April 1, 2011 after police executed a search warrant at the property.

The trial before Puisne Judge Alan Richards continues.

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