Testimony of drug use heard in Howard trial

Janelle Cave, 23, Jamestown, testified that she had sold drugs to Abdi Ali Ahmed before he was killed on April 30, 2011. The testimony came in the fifth day of the Leron Howard murder trial in Southeast District Court Monday.

Howard is charged with murder and criminal conspiracy in the death of Ahmed. Cave was found guilty of manslaughter and criminal conspiracy in the same incident in February. She is currently serving an 11-year sentence.

Ahmed's body was found in a road ditch near Spiritwood on April 30, 2011. An autopsy indicated he died of blunt force head trauma and also was stabbed in the abdomen.

When asked by Fritz Fremgen, Stutsman County state’s attorney, if Ahmed hung around her house for marijuana Cave replied yes.

When asked by Steve Mottinger, court-appointed defense attorney, she described the dealings as a “gram or two.” She denied that Ahmed owed her money for past drug sales.

Cave testified that Howard struck Ahmed outside her trailer and knocked him unconscious. They then transported Ahmed to the home of Delmonte Jones near Spiritwood. Cave testified that she and Howard left Ahmed unconscious in the car and went in the Jones home and did marijuana.

She said the group made jokes about the unconscious guy in the car.

Cross examination of Cave will continue this afternoon.

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