Jamestown, ND (KCSi- T.V. News Aug 22, 2012) — A Southeast District Court Jury, of eight women and four men, in Jamestown Wednesday began deliberation in the trial of Leron Howard.

Not reaching a verdict Wednesday, the jurors recessed just before 5-p.m., and will continue deliberations, on Thursday morning, at 9-O’Clock.

Howard is charged with murder and criminal conspiracy in the death of Abdi Ali Ahmed on April 30, 2011.

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

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

If they find Howard not guilty of murder they would then consider the lesser included charge of manslaughter.

Abdi Ali Ahmed’s body was found in a road ditch near Spiritwood, on April 30, 2011.

An autopsy revealed Ahmed 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.

Murder and criminal conspiracy are Class AA felonies punishable by life in prison without parole.

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

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

Closing arguments were heard in the case Tuesday.

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.

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

Click link below for trial proceedings, recap

http://csinewsnow.com/2012/08/20/recapping-leron-howard-trial-proceedings/