{"id":2514,"date":"2012-08-20T14:29:01","date_gmt":"2012-08-20T19:29:01","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/csinewsnow.com\/?p=2514"},"modified":"2012-08-23T15:10:28","modified_gmt":"2012-08-23T20:10:28","slug":"recapping-leron-howard-trial-proceedings","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/csinewsnow.com\/?p=2514","title":{"rendered":"Recapping Leron Howard Trial Proceedings"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Jury Verdict<\/p>\n

Thursday Aug 23, 2012<\/p>\n

Jamestown, ND (KCSi- T.V. News Aug 23, 2012) \u2014 A Southeast District Court Jury, of eight women and four men, in Jamestown Thursday (Aug 23, 2012) has found 35 year old Leron Howard of Jamestown guilty of Murder and Criminal Conspiracy in death of Abdi Ali Ahmed, of Jamestown.<\/p>\n

The jury deliberated about seven and a half hours, on Wednesday and five and a half hours on Thursday before returning the verdict about 2: 30 p.m. on Thursday.<\/p>\n

Murder and Criminal Conspiracy are Class AA felonies punishable by life in prison without parole.<\/p>\n

The jury decided to deliberate on the murder charge rather than manslaughter.<\/p>\n

Manslaughter is a Class B felony punishable by 10 years in prison and a $10,000 fine.<\/p>\n

Southeast District Court Judge, Thomas Merrick says sentencing will be handed down after a pre-sentencing investigation, in about eight weeks<\/p>\n

Howard\u2019s court appointed defense attorney, Steve Mottinger, asked the jury to convict Howard of manslaughter during closing arguments.<\/p>\n

Stutsman County State\u2019s Attorney, Fritz Fremgen, said the case fits the definition of murder.<\/p>\n

Abdi Ali Ahmed\u2019s body was found in a road ditch near Spiritwood, on April 30, 2011. An autopsy revealed he died of blunt force trauma to the head and he was also stabbed twice in the abdomen.<\/p>\n

On the stand Tuesday, Howard admitted to striking Ahmed twice during an altercation during the early morning hours of April 30, 2011.<\/p>\n

Jury selection in the case began Aug. 14, 2012 with testimony beginning on Aug. 15, 2012.<\/p>\n

Closing arguments were heard in the case Tuesday.<\/p>\n

The co-defendant on the case, Janelle Cave of Jamestown was found guilty, in a jury trial in Jamestown, in February of 2012, of manslaughter, and conspiracy, in the death of Ahmed.<\/p>\n

She is appealing her conviction in the North Dakota Supreme Court.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Recapping Trial Proceedings<\/p>\n

\u00a0Tuesday Aug 22, 2012 \u2014 A Southeast District Court Jury, of eight women and four men, in Jamestown Wednesday began deliberation in the trial of Leron Howard.<\/p>\n

Howard is charged with murder and criminal conspiracy in the death of Abdi Ali Ahmed on April 30, 2011.<\/p>\n

Howard\u2019s court appointed defense attorney, Steve Mottinger, asked the jury to convict Howard of manslaughter during closing arguments.<\/p>\n

If they find Howard not guilty of murder they would then consider the lesser included charge of manslaughter.<\/p>\n

Abdi Ali Ahmed\u2019s body was found in a road ditch near Spiritwood, on April 30, 2011.<\/p>\n

An autopsy revealed\u00a0Ahmed died of blunt force trauma to the head and he was also stabbed twice in the abdomen.<\/p>\n

On the stand Tuesday, Howard admitted to striking Ahmed twice during an altercation during the early morning hours of April 30, 2011.<\/p>\n

Murder and criminal conspiracy are Class AA felonies punishable by life in prison without parole.<\/p>\n

Manslaughter is a Class B felony punishable by 10 years in prison and a $10,000 fine.<\/p>\n

Jury selection in the case began August 14, 2012 with testimony beginning on August 15, 2012.<\/p>\n

Closing arguments were heard in the case Tuesday.<\/p>\n

The co-defendant on the case, Janelle Cave of Jamestown was found guilty, in a jury trial in Jamestown, in February of 2012, of manslaughter, and conspiracy, in the death of Ahmed.<\/p>\n

She is appealing her conviction in the North Dakota Supreme Court.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u00a0Tuesday Aug 21, 2012:<\/p>\n

\u00a0A Jamestown man on trial for murder in the death of a Somali immigrant says he hit the victim and knocked him to the ground, but denied stabbing him.<\/p>\n

35-year-old Leron Howard testified Tuesday that he struck 18-year-old Abdi Ali Ahmed twice during an argument between Ahmed and Janelle Cave on April 30, 2011.<\/p>\n

Howard said an altercation between Cave and Ahmed started in a trailer home Cave shared with Howard and Alexa Stoller, over money owed by Ahmed for drugs.<\/p>\n

Howard stepped between Cave and Ahmed and struck Ahmed when Howard thought Ahmed was going to strike Cave.<\/p>\n

Cave earlier testified that she never witnessed Howard hit Ahmed, and that it was Howard who stabbed Ahmed along a rural roadside.<\/p>\n

Howard said Cave stabbed Ahmed.<\/p>\n

A medical examiner earlier testified that Ahmed likely died because of blunt force trauma to the head, and that the stab wounds to the abdomen accelerated the death.<\/p>\n

Ahmed\u2019s body was found around noon on April 30, 2011, in a road ditch near Spiritwood.<\/p>\n

Howard testified Tuesday that he did not know Ahmed was dead until Howard was booked into the Stutsman County Jail, that evening.<\/p>\n

Howard is charged with murder and criminal conspiracy in the death of Ahmed, whose body was found in a ditch near Spiritwood.<\/p>\n

Cave was earlier convicted of manslaughter and criminal conspiracy and is serving an 11-year prison sentence.<\/p>\n

Tuesday \u00a0afternoon the prosecution and defense rested, and presented closing arguments.<\/p>\n

Defense attorney Steve Mottinger asked the jury to find Howard guilty on a lesser charge of manslaughter, saying Howard did not intentionally kill Ahmed,\u00a0and that \u00a0Howard admitted to hitting Ahmed in the head twice, and kicking him.<\/p>\n

\u00a0In his closing arguments, prosecutor, Stutsman County State\u2019s Attorney, Fritz Fremgen said,\u00a0 Leron Howard and Janelle Cave\u00a0 want to distance themselves from the stabbing as it shows intent to harm Ahmed.<\/p>\n

The jury\u00a0 begins deliberation\u00a0 Wednesday morning.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Monday August 20, 2012:<\/p>\n

Twenty-two-year-old Janelle Cave testified during the fifth day (Monday Aug 20, 2012) of 34-year-old Leron Howard\u2019s trial that she sold 18-year-old Abdi Ali Ahmed marijuana.<\/p>\n

Howard has pleaded not guilty to murder and criminal conspiracy in the April 2011 death of Ahmed, whose body was found in a ditch near Spiritwood.<\/p>\n

A jury convicted the 22-year-old Cave on manslaughter and<\/p>\n

criminal conspiracy charges in February.<\/p>\n

She is appealing.<\/p>\n

Her sentence required her to testify at Howard\u2019s trial.<\/p>\n

Cave denied Ahmed owed her any money.<\/p>\n

Cave testified that Howard struck Ahmed outside her trailer and knocked him unconscious.<\/p>\n

They transported Ahmed to the home of Delmonte Jones near Spiritwood, where they left Ahmed unconscious in the car.<\/p>\n

Cave testified that they went into the Jones home where they did marijuana.<\/p>\n

Judge Thomas Merrick says the case could go to the<\/p>\n

jury by midweek.<\/p>\n

\u3000<\/p>\n

Friday August 17, 2012:<\/p>\n

A forensic scientist, and DNA analyst at the Crime Laboratory, testified, blows to the head and stab wounds to the abdomen were Ahmed\u2019s major injuries.<\/p>\n

Other forensic testimony confirmed that reddish brown stains found on a shoe and a shirt, in a garbage dumpster, and identified as belonging to Howard, were human blood.<\/p>\n

The clothing were found in a garbage Dumpster.<\/p>\n

A drop of blood found on a seat belt anchor in the backseat of Janelle Cave\u2019s car belonged to Ahmed.<\/p>\n

Other testimony Friday came from Howard\u2019s friend, and residents of Howard\u2019s apartment building, concerning the circumstances of how clothing belonging to Howard was disposed of, along with a cell phone, keys and a wallet, all said to have been Howard\u2019s.<\/p>\n

Jamestown Police Chief, then detective, Scott Edinger described the circumstances surrounding Howard\u2019s apprehension during a traffic stop in downtown Jamestown.<\/p>\n

\u3000<\/p>\n

Thursday August 16, 2012<\/p>\n

Delmonte Jones testified Thursday that Howard and 22-year-old Janelle Cave came to his home early in the morning of April 30, 2011.<\/p>\n

Jones says the two asked about Jones\u2019 well, saying they had a body to dispose of.<\/p>\n

Jones said he did not believe them and sent them away.<\/p>\n

Jones was also questioned by court-appointed defense attorney, Steven Mottinger about selling marijuana to Howard and Cave, to which he replied, “no.”<\/p>\n

Mottinger also asked Jones about a trip he, Howard and other individuals took to Montana and if marijuana was purchased.<\/p>\n

Jones replied by saying the group went to buy shoes and clothes in Montana, but he could not recall the name of the city or the mall where they shopped.<\/p>\n

Thursday afternoon a muddy and corroded sword was introduced into evidence, with no physical evidence from the weapon.<\/p>\n

Other witnesses testified about clothing related to the crime that was taken into evidence by police, along with phone logs from Cave\u2019s phone that indicating calls and text messages between Cave and Howard.<\/p>\n

\u3000<\/p>\n

Wednesday August 15, 2012<\/p>\n

The defense lawyer for 34-year-old Leron Howard, Steven Mottinger told jurors, Wednesday, that his client will take the stand and talk about the night 18-year-old Abdi Ali Ahmed died.<\/p>\n

Mottinger said in opening statements that his client did not intend to kill Ahmed and will ask jurors to find him guilty of manslaughter.<\/p>\n

Mottinger also said his client bore some responsibility in the death.<\/p>\n

Wednesday, jurors were shown photos from the crime scene, a ditch off a gravel road, near Spiritwood, where Ahmed\u2019s body was found.<\/p>\n

Called as a witness, Stutsman County Sheriff Deputy, Jason Falk testified that photos showed Ahmed received two stab wounds to the abdomen, with Ahmed\u2019s forearms showing cuts received in a defensive effort.<\/p>\n

Other witnesses on the stand testified that early morning, on April 30, 2011, Ahmed and Howard were together at The Corner Bar and a house party in Jamestown.<\/p>\n

\u3000<\/p>\n

Tuesday August 14, 2012<\/p>\n

Jury selection started in Southeast District Court in Jamestown, for the trial of 34 year old Leron Howard of Jamestown.<\/p>\n

81 potential jurors have been called for the process that started Tuesday (Aug 14, 2012) at the Stutsman County Courthouse.<\/p>\n

The prospective jurors were questioned by court-appointed defense attorney<\/p>\n

Steven Mottinger, as six individuals were removed for consideration on Tuesday.<\/p>\n

The reasons for being excused from jury duty included preconceived notions about the case, along with child care needs, and disabilities.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Jury Verdict Thursday Aug 23, 2012 Jamestown, ND (KCSi- T.V. News Aug 23, 2012) \u2014 A Southeast District Court Jury, of eight women and four men, in Jamestown Thursday (Aug 23, 2012) has found 35 year old Leron Howard of Jamestown guilty of Murder and Criminal Conspiracy in death of […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":2503,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[14],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2514","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-jamestown"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/csinewsnow.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2514","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/csinewsnow.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/csinewsnow.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/csinewsnow.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/csinewsnow.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=2514"}],"version-history":[{"count":7,"href":"http:\/\/csinewsnow.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2514\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2748,"href":"http:\/\/csinewsnow.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2514\/revisions\/2748"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/csinewsnow.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/2503"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/csinewsnow.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=2514"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/csinewsnow.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=2514"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/csinewsnow.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=2514"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}