Jurors hear of Cave, Howard allegedly trying to dispose of body

Jurors heard Thursday that Leron Lee Howard and Janelle Cave allegedly tried to dispose of a body on the morning of April 30, 2011.

Cave, 22, of Jamestown, is charged with murder and criminal conspiracy in the death of Abdi Ali Ahmed, 18, Jamestown. The second day of testimony began Thursday morning in Southeast District Court in Jamestown. Judge Thomas E. Merrick is presiding.

Howard, 34, Jamestown, also faces murder and criminal conspiracy charges. He is scheduled to stand trial on Aug. 7.

The charges are Class AA felonies punishable by life in prison without parole.

Delmonte Jones testified that Cave and Howard, who is also known by the nickname “Ra Ra,” came to his home at 5 a.m.

“Ra Ra asked to use my well and I asked why,” Jones said. “He said to put a body in it and I told them to take it down the street.”

Jones said he felt Cave and Howard had been drinking and thought it was just a joke or big talk.

The next morning Ahmed’s body was found about 0.2 miles from the Jones home in a road ditch.

David Ogren, Cave’s court-appointed defense attorney, challenged Jones on a number of inconsistencies between recorded statements he had made to police during the investigation and his testimony in court.

Prosecution expects to call four witnesses during the afternoon session today. The case is expected to go to the jury for deliberation next week.

Sun reporter Keith Norman can be reached at 701-952-8452 or by email at knorman@jamestownsun.com

Tags: local news, news, updates, fccnetwork, crime