Jamestown, ND (KCSi-T.V. News Nov 14, 2012) — On Wednesday morning, Southeast District Judge Thomas Merrick sentenced 35 year old Leron Howard, of Jamestown to life in prison without parole.

Merrick said Howard’s criminal history brought out in the pre-sentence investigation was a key factor in his decision.

Howard had 23 prior criminal convictions including five felonies.

Howard’s court appointed attorney, Steve Mottinger, suggested 20 years of incarceration, while prosecutor, Stutsman County State’s Attorney Fritz Fremgen recommended life, without parole.

Howard was found guilty by a jury in Jamestown on August 23, 2012, and convicted of murder and criminal conspiracy, Class AA Felonies, punishable by life in prison without parole.

Howard has been incarcerated in Jamestown.

Mottinger said Howard directed him to file a notice of appeal in the case.

The charges stemmed from the April 2011 death of 18-year-old Abdi Ali Ahmed of Jamestown a Somali immigrant, who was found dead in a roadside ditch near Spiritwood, on April 30, 2011.

His wounds consisted of blunt force trauma to the head and stab wounds to the abdomen.

In February, 2012, a Jamestown Southeast District Court Jury found co-defendant Janelle Cave of Jamestown guilty of manslaughter, and criminal conspiracy in the same case, and she is now serving an 11 year prison term.

Cave had appealed the conviction in the North Dakota Supreme Court, which was later withdrawn.

An order of dismissal was issued by the court on Oct. 12, 2012.

　

Jamestown, ND (KCSi-T.V. News) — The Jamestown City Fire Department’s Ready Squad was called out to the Jamestown Middle School, about 11:15 a.m., on Wednesday (Nov 14, 2012).

There was no fire, as the fire alarm had a ground fault in the system, that triggered the activation.