Jury begins deliberation in Janelle Cave murder trial

Jury deliberation began at about 3 p.m. today in the murder trial of Janelle Cave, 22, Jamestown.

Cave and Leron Lee Howard, 34, Jamestown, are charged with murder and criminal conspiracy in the death of Abdi Ali Ahmed, 18, Jamestown, on April 30, 2011.

The case is being tried in Southeast District Court with Judge Thomas Merrick presiding. Howard's trial is scheduled for August.

The jury is expected to deliberate until about 5 p.m. today. Its first task is to elect a jury foreman. If a verdict is not reached today the jury will reconvene at 9 a.m. Thursday.

Before the case went to jury the alternate juror was dismissed. The final panel of 12 includes eight men and four women. They will decide on verdicts on the murder and criminal conspiracy charges. If they find Cave not guilty of the murder charge they would also consider the lesser charges of manslaughter or negligent homicide.

The murder and criminal conspiracy charges are Class AA felonies punishable by up to life in prison without parole.

Howard is scheduled for trial beginning Aug. 7.

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

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