By Glenroy Sinclair, Staff Reporter WHILE HE might be a hero in the criminal underworld, the lifestyle of Joel Andem, the nation's most wanted man, has his family, especially his mother in constant distress.
According to Lorna Andem, an older sister of the man dubbed public enemy number one following the airing of television footage showing her brother hanging out with members of his gang at their hideout in the hills of Landlease, St. Andrew, her mother broke down in tears.
"She cried and cried," Lorna told The Gleaner in an exclusive interview yesterday. "Every time his photograph is televised and his name called in connection with another crime, she becomes more worried."
Dressed casually in a sleeveless multi-coloured blouse and a tall, thin, silky black skirt, Lorna was seen sitting by her stall, along one of Kingston's busy thoroughfares peddling sweets, biscuits and refreshments. She had a worried look on her face.
"The last time I spoke to Joel, he wanted to turn himself in, but because his name was being called in so many crimes, he became scared, believing he would not get a fair trial," Lorna said.
The second of seven children for Enid Haughton and Kenneth Andem, Lorna said that at one stage her brother had expressed an interest in giving himself up to the police because he did not want his infant son to follow in his footsteps.
"I am not saying that Joel is an angel, but most of the things that the police said he did, he did not do it. I know my brother very well, he is not a rapist. He's a man who have a lot girls," Lorna remarked.
While claiming that her brother is a carpenter by profession, Lorna is contending that he is no dunce. In fact, she thinks that based on his academic achievements, he could be described as brilliant.
"He has about three subjects, including mathematics," said Lorna. "He was very good at maths."
Reflecting on the earlier life of her brother, Lorna remembers Joel as a very quiet lad while he was attending Rollington Town Primary and Vauxhall Secondary schools in east Kingston.
"We grew up very good, when we were small, if our mother catch us playing or keeping company, she would beat us," Lorna recalled. "I believe Joel broke out when him used to attend Vauxhaul. Him never used to steal, him just hang out with the wrong crowd. He never spoke to strangers."
Since Joel was declared to be the country's most wanted man, life has changed for Lorna and her family. She said she has been harassed by the police who at one point "...knocked down her door at 4:00 a.m. and took her to the police station".
"At one stage I had to get counselling for my nine-year-old daughter who it was affecting very much," Lorna told The Gleaner.
Lorna said the police were also harassing her mother who lives in Bull Bay, St. Andrew. She said her mother is a days' worker in the Portmore area of St. Catherine.
"Joel is the last child for my mother. Two of my brothers were killed by the gun," said Lorna. "The first child, Jimmy Andem, was controversially killed by the police. The second, Sam, was robbed and killed by gunmen along Camperdown Road. This happened more than 10 years ago."
According to police records, Andem was first convicted in June 1983 for breaking and larceny. He is wanted in connection with several counts of murder, shooting with intent, abduction, rape and extortion.
Among his alleged victims are gas station operator, Sylvia Edwards, People's National Party (PNP) Area Leader, Pearl Brascoe and Chem Rowe, who was a witness to Miss Edwards' case.
