Gang expert says gang does not control east Modesto park

A gang expert on Tuesday testified that Modesto’s Creekwood Park is not controlled by a Norteño street gang, because alleged crimes there have not resulted in gang-enhancement convictions.

Gregorio Estevane told the jury that gang-enhancement convictions are the most reliable way for experts to determine whether a gang is entrenched in a neighborhood or a park.

“It’s the gold standard for making expert gang opinions,” Estevane said while being cross-examined by the prosecution. “You have zero evidence in your discovery.”

Jacob Segura, Taylor Koplen and Juan Garcia are on trial. They face charges of murder in Tylor Crippen’s stabbing at Creekwood Park. They also face charges of robbery and two counts of attempted robbery, along with enhancements of committing crimes for the benefit of the Norteño street gang.

Estevane, hired by the defense, has testified that Segura is not a gang member. He said the defendant associated with gang members socially, not criminally.

Gang members committing crimes to benefit or promote their gang is known on the street as “putting in work.” On Tuesday, Estevane said, “There’s no evidence Jacob’s putting in work.”

The gang expert also said that an unrelated beating at the same park had all the indications it was a gang crime, but that doesn’t mean the park is controlled by Norteños.

He testified that graffiti found at the park is associated with the Norteño street gang, but he can’t say the gang dominates the park without gang-enhancement convictions. Such convictions were not included in the prosecution’s evidence, Estevane said.

The gang expert did agree that sometimes prosecutors drop gang enhancements as part of plea deals, but he said he can’t consider that when determining whether gangs control an area. Without convictions, any claims of gang entrenchment are simply conjecture and anecdotes.

Detective Robert Gumm, a Modesto police gang investigator, has testified that the three defendants are Norteño gang members. He also told the jury that the defendants were trying to rob Crippen and his girlfriend to instill fear in the neighborhood. He said the stabbing helped maintain the gang’s stronghold in the neighborhood.

The stabbing occurred on the night of Jan.29, 2013, at the park, a few blocks west of Claus Road in east Modesto. The prosecution says the defendants chased Crippen into the park, and Koplen stabbed Crippen.

Estevane testified he didn’t question people involved in the case, Modesto police investigators or nearby residents about whether they’ve seen gang activity at the park. He said his role as a gang expert is to evaluate the evidence provided, not investigate a crime.

The murder trial is expected to continue Wednesday in Stanislaus Superior Court.

This story was originally published October 28, 2014 at 8:30 PM with the headline "Gang expert says gang does not control east Modesto park."