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<\/a>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.<\/p>\nNot reaching a verdict Wednesday, the jurors recessed just before 5-p.m., and will continue deliberations, on Thursday morning, at 9-O’Clock.<\/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
Stutsman County State\u2019s Attorney, Fritz Fremgen, said the case fits the definition of murder.<\/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
Click link below for trial proceedings, recap<\/p>\n