Jamestown, ND (KCSi- T.V. News Aug 23, 2012) — 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  Somali immigrant, Abdi Ali Ahmed, of Jamestown.

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.

Howard, appeared to break down as the verdicts were read.

Murder and Criminal Conspiracy are Class AA felonies punishable by life in prison without parole.

The jury decided to deliberate on the murder charge rather than manslaughter.

Manslaughter is a Class B felony punishable by 10 years in prison and a $10,000 fine.

Southeast District Court Judge, Thomas Merrick says sentencing will be handed down after a pre-sentencing investigation, in about eight weeks

Howard’s court appointed defense attorney, Steve Mottinger, asked the jury to convict Howard of manslaughter during closing arguments.

Following the verdict, Mottinger said, “I think we picked a good jury, the jury obviously worked very hard at this.”

Prosecutor, Stutsman County State’s Attorney, Fritz Fremgen, said the case fits the definition of murder.

After the verdict,  was read,  Fremgen credited the jury for their dedication to the case.

Ahmed’s family say despite the guilty verdict, justice has still not been served, and are concerned that presiding judge, Thomas Merrick, will not give Howard the maximum sentence of life in prison without parole.

They were not satisfied that co-defendent, Janelle Cave was convicted in February of this year, of the lesser charge of manslaughter, Ahmed’s death.

Cave  is appealing her conviction in the North Dakota Supreme Court.

Abdi Ali Ahmed’s 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.

On the stand Tuesday, Howard admitted to striking Ahmed twice during an altercation during the early morning hours of April 30, 2011.

Jury selection in the case began Aug. 14, 2012 with testimony beginning on Aug. 15, 2012.

Closing arguments were heard in the case Tuesday.