(Jamaica Gleaner) “A suh it go, man.” That was the reaction of dancehall artiste Ninja Man as he and his co-accused were led from the Home Circuit Court in handcuffs Monday afternoon.
Ninja Man, whose real name is Desmond Ballentyne, his son Janiel, and another man identified as Dennis Clayton, had just been found guilty of the eight-year-old murder of Ricardo Johnson, also known as Ricky Trooper.
In addition to the murder conviction, Ninja Man, was found guilty of shooting with intent.
His co-accused were freed of that charge.
The convicts are to be sentenced on December 15.
They face the possibility of life in prison.
Ninja Man, 51, and his co accused have been on trial for the past six weeks.
Director of Public Prosecutions Paula Llewellyn has commended the team of prosecutors and investigators for mounting what she calls a very challenging case.
She said her office has been trying to focus on matters of “some vintage”.
“Once there is a viable case, we are obligated to go forward,” Llewellyn said.
“Jurors heard the evidence, they heard the summation of prosecuting and defence counsel as well as the judge and they made their decision,” Llewellyn added.
Four men and three women heard the matter.
Trooper was shot dead on March 16, 2009.
That same year, Ninja Man and his co-accused were arrested.
It is alleged that on the day in question, Johnson was sweeping his yard in the company of a friend on Mall Road, St Andrew, when a motor car with three men aboard drove up.
An argument developed between Johnson’s friend and the men, who left but later returned with guns blazing.
Johnson was fatally shot in the incident.
Ninja Man turned himself into the police shortly after the incident, upon hearing that he was being sought as a person of interest in the case.
