"Hard fought" case to convict Ninjaman - DPP

Director of Public Prosecutions Paula Llewelyn has described the murder trial involving entertainer Ninja Man (proper name Desmond Ballentine) and his two co-accused as hard fought.

Following an almost three-hour deliberation in the Home Circuit Court on Monday, the 51 year old dancehall artiste was found guilty of murder and shooting with intent.

His son, 24 year old Jahneil, and Dennis Clayton were also found guilty of murder. 

The other two men were, however, found not guilty of the charge of shooting with intent.

The three men were tried for the March 2009 murder of Ricardo Johnson, otherwise called Ricky Trooper. They are to return to court on December 15 for sentencing.

The incident occurred on Lower Mall Road in Kingston.

The verdict, which was unanimous, was handed down minutes after four o'clock.

Llewelyn, speaking with reporters after the verdict, said much of the evidence was circumstantial.

She said the murder arose from a domestic dispute between two tenants on Lower Mall Road and escalated after Mr. Clayton went to the house with a group of men to beat and threaten the witness.

Prosecutors argue that the following day Ninja man was among four men, including his co-accused, who returned to the home of Mr. Johnson, where the witness was staying.

Mr. Johnson was shot and killed.

The three men were represented at trial by attorneys Valerie Neita-Robertson, Linton Walters, and Gladstone Wilson.