Veteran dancehall artiste, Ninjaman, whose birth name is Desmond Ballentine, was sentenced to life imprisonment on Monday, in the Home Circuit Court in Kingston.

Judge Martin Gayle handed down the sentence on the entertainer for the 2009 murder of Ricardo Johnson, aka Ricky Trooper. Ballentine will not be eligible for parole until serving 25 years.

In response to the sentencing, the deejay smiled and said: “Thumbs up, your honour.”

On the count of shooting with intent, Ninjaman was sentenced to 20 years, which will run concurrent with the murder sentence.

Ninjaman’s son Janeil was also sentenced to life in prison, the same as Dennis Clayton, for Johnson’s death.

The prosecution had led evidence during the trial that all three contrived and killed Johnson in a domestic dispute.

The case started in October and was completed in November after 17 missed trial dates and 23 mentioned dates.

Ninjaman’s lawyer, Queen’s Counsel Valerie Neita Robertson said the entertainer will appeal the conviction.

More to come from the sentencing.

Reference

Comments

comments