Man charged in fatal robbery 24 hours after Birmingham mass shooting has ‘been demonized,’ lawyer says

The attorney for one of four men charged with capital murder in the robbery of a 32-year-old man shortly after a mass shooting in Birmingham stated that his client insists on his innocence and is seeking release on bond.

Larry Denzel Rollins Jr., 31, faces charges related to the Sept. 22 shooting death of Jamarcus McIntyre, who was killed during a robbery in the 700 block of 81st Place South that Sunday night.

Also charged in McIntyre's death are Ny’Quan Cordae Lollar, 22, Demarco Nakia Beck Jr., 29, and Damien McDaniel, 22, who is also facing capital murder charges related to a separate shooting at Hush Lounge that resulted in four fatalities and 17 injuries.

McDaniel is additionally charged in connection with the Sept. 19 shooting death of a Birmingham mother, an innocent bystander killed in a shooting at a north Birmingham lounge.

According to charging documents, McIntyre was shot while being robbed of his backpack and its contents.

Rollins’ defense attorney, John Lentine, argued before Jefferson County District Judge Maria Fortune on Thursday, but media were not permitted in the courtroom. Lentine has filed a motion requesting that Rollins be granted bond, emphasizing that Rollins has lived in Jefferson County his entire life and has strong community ties. He noted that Rollins was employed until his recent arrest and argued that he poses neither a flight risk nor a danger to the community. Lentine is asking for a bond no higher than $100,000 for the capital murder and heroin trafficking charges.

Rollins appeared briefly in court but did not need to address the judge directly due to having legal representation. Lentine asserted, "Under state law, you have the right to a bond in a capital case. A judge can only deny bond if the evidence convincingly proves guilt."

Earlier this year, Rollins was acquitted of a separate murder charge related to the 2021 shooting of 27-year-old Eric Tyler Sledge Jr. This incident occurred following an altercation that spilled outside an establishment.

Lentine expressed frustration with the media's portrayal of Rollins, suggesting that it aligns too closely with the narratives presented by law enforcement. He emphasized Rollins' innocence and criticized the lack of evidence linking him to other alleged crimes, arguing for fair treatment under the law.

Rollins is scheduled for a bond hearing and preliminary hearing on Dec. 5.