Tagged mugger found guilty by judge
Cayman Islands court emblem
(CNS): A 34-year-old George Town man accused of committing street robbery on a couple last year was found guilty on Tuesday following a judge alone trial last month. James Romano Whittaker was convicted of mugging the couple at knifepoint, taking two phones and a purse on the waterfront in George Town last year. Whittaker was wearing an electronic tag that he wrapped in aluminium foil to avoid detection during the early morning hold-up
When Justice Charles Quin delivered the judgement, he said he was sure beyond a reasonable doubt that Whittaker was guilty of this robbery and he would be sentenced later this month.
During the robbery, Whittaker’s electronic tag was covered with aluminium and his signal could only be shown at the last place the GPS picked up, which was his home at 1:18am.The signal was not detected during the robbery but came back at 1:44am when Whittaker returned home.
Justice Quin said the police constable who made a random check-up on Whittaker saw him removing aluminium foil from his electronic tag. Whittaker had admitted to the police in an interview that he would sometimes cover the tag so that he could go out past curfew and get drugs. He admitted that he should not have been out past his curfew time but denied any involvement in the robbery of Misha Powell and Jamal Anderson.
The crown’s case against Whittaker was that he approached Anderson and Powell with a knife and demanded money from them at the Charles Building on the 22 November last year at about 1:00am. When Anderson explained that he had no money, Whittaker allegedly put the knife to his throat and said, “If you don’t have money, I’ll take what you have.”
He then patted Anderson down and searched his car. Taking the couple’s phones and Powell’s purse, Whittaker stooped down around the side of the building and, with the couple watching, searched through the items he had just stolen.
Anderson had told the court when he gave evidence that the blue hoodie the assailant was wearing dropped so he could see his face. After the mugging Anderson took Powell to the car so they could get away and file a report at the police station.
Justice Quin emphasized the fact that Powell did not realize she was being robbed until Whittaker took out a knife. He said that Anderson was concerned for Powell’s safety and the court heard that both of the victims did not take their eyes off of Whittaker during the ordeal.
Two days after the incident occurred the victims were called to the police station to identify the suspect. The victims were separately shown images of men matching the description they gave and an identification parade was made. Both Powell and Anderson pointed out Whittaker as the robber and said they were “one hundred percent certain”.
A search was conducted at Whittaker’s home and a knife resembling the one described by the couple at the scene of the robbery was found under his mattress. Whittaker was charged shortly afterwards.
In his judgment Justice Quin said the robbery meant nothing to Whittaker, as he purposefully put foil on his electronic tag to conceal his movements. He said that because of Whittaker’s disregard for his tag, there was no way to determine where he was during the time of the robbery. The judge said that he was “not impressed” by the defendant’s evidence and manner in interviews, in which he was “evasive and unreliable”, in contrast to the victims, who gave evidence in a “calm, unshaken and clear manner”.
Justice Quin said the victims went straight to the police station to file a report after the robbery and clearly saw and identified Whittaker. He found Anderson and Powell to be “witnesses of truth” and that he had no doubt in their identification of Whittaker.
A Caymanian. Naturally.
Blame Jamaicans. Blame ExPats. Blame Youths obsessed with outside culture.
But it’s never CAYMANIANS fault. Oh, no, NEVER.
The natives are acting like every other 3rd world country’s swarthy denizens.
Absolutely disgusting! People’s belongings cost money and for this man to have no regard for stealing and on more than one occasion – I’m sure all these crimes he has committed from the past til now should rack him up to a lifetime in prison – you want things bad enough, get your incompetent ass up and go get a damn job like everyone else!
He will get 18 months and be back on tag committing robberies in 12. Cayman should implement the 3 strike rule.
Putting foil over the tag should have a punishment all its own.
It really wont matter the monitors are to the criminals a joke by the time the officer gets to the home the kid is back they always call first or the criminal says the charger isn,t working or they were in the sea
It’s sad that they are that easy to fool and that’s something that should definitely be looked into, but it sounds like in this case he was caught doing it, so add another charge for violating the terms of his agreement. If you are wearing a tag to stay out of jail and you get caught trying to to fool it, you have shown you can’t be trusted out. Back in with an extra year or two, plus a fine for wasting police and court time. Hey, I can dream, right?
Crime in Cayman is so interesting.
Romano attended grade school and shared classes with Jamaal’s sister.
Stay in school kids, say no to drugs. Lead a crimefree life.
Thank you Judge Quinn.
Wow now I know to just put foil over my monitor
I remember this young man well he robbed my home when my children were sleeping I was shocked when I saw him out of jail he even had the balls to say hello perhaps he was proud that he was out and was showing me that he was the boss
I am sure once again he will get a few months and be out to ruin Christmas for some family
Ever notice how they let the criminals out b4 Christmas
I cant wait to get my new home in the states cant come soon enough
I had the same experience with a local thief. Stole a bunch of stuff and then chatted me up in the convince store. Very comfortable with stealing from whitey.
You won’t be any safer in the states and go me the size of the place they may never find the perp. Granted if they did you’re not likely to see him out grocery shopping with you.
In the states if you mess with the police you get shot draw attention to yourself you get shot and or arrested I LIKE IT and am very happy I don’t draw attention to myself I avoid the police and that is OK they have a job to do
I can go just about any place in the states and know I am safe and the thugs only mess with each other and the cops don’t waste their time on it either
Cayman on the other hand is a security joke staffed by jokers
Excellent decision, Justice Quin. Thank you!