Opening statements heard in Howard trial

A panel of nine women and five men will begin hearing testimony in the Leron Lee Howard murder trial this afternoon in Southeast District Court in Jamestown. Howard, 34, of Jamestown, is charged with murder in criminal conspiracy in the Aug. 30, 2011 death of Abdi Ali Ahmed, 18, Jamestown.

Ahmed’s body was found in a road ditch near Spiritwood. An autopsy showed he had died of blunt force trauma to the head although stab wounds to the torso were also present.

Steve Mottinger, court-appointed defense attorney, revealed that Howard will testify in his own defense during opening statements. Mottinger also said his client bore some responsibility in the death.

“He will tell you what happened and more importantly what didn’t happen that night,” he said. “We admit he committed a major crime but there was no intent to kill this young man. At the end of the day we will ask you to return a verdict of guilty of manslaughter.”

Janelle Cave was also charged with murder and criminal conspiracy in the case. In a February trial she was found guilty of manslaughter and criminal conspiracy. She has appealed those convictions.

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. Manslaughter is described as recklessly causing the death of another individual.

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