Update: Howard guilty of murder, jury decides

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Jurors convicted a 35-year-old Jamestown man of murder and criminal conspiracy in the 2011 death of an 18-year-old Somali immigrant.

Leron Howard, 35, appeared to break down as the verdicts were read in Southeast District Court in Jamestown Thursday. The charges are Class AA felonies punishable by life in prison without parole.

Howard was convicted of the crimes in the death of Abdi Ali Ahmed, 18, Jamestown. Ahmed’s body was found in a road ditch near Spiritwood on April 30, 2011. Ahmed died of blunt force trauma to the head, although he had also been stabbed in the abdomen.

Ayan Ahmed, of Columbus, Ohio, the victim’s sister, said it was partial justice in the case.

“I feel better,” she said. “He got what he deserved. I don’t think my brother got justice because Janelle (Cave) got 10 years.”

Cave was convicted in February of manslaughter and criminal conspiracy in the case. She is serving an 11-year sentence.

Judge Thomas Merrick ordered a presentence investigation, which could take up to two months before sentencing begins.

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