NINJA FACES MUSIC TODAY…

BY RICHARD JOHNSON
Observer senior reporter
johnsonr@jamaicaobserver.com

NINJAMAN should know his fate later today as the jury in his murder trial is expected to hand in its verdict after the almost month-long trial.

The deejay, whose given name is Desmond Ballentine, is on trial for the March 2009 murder of Ricardo Johnson also known as Trooper of Marl Road in Kingston.

The deejay, who is jointly charged with his son Jahneil, has maintained his innocence.

Ninjaman’s attorney Valerie Neita Robertson told the Jamaica Observer that he is expected to be in court today.

“He will be there. He is doing pretty good as he is on medication. His spirit is also high,” she told the Observer.

During the trial, which began five weeks ago, the deejay had to be rushed to hospital after he complained of chest pains. He was admitted to an undisclosed medical facility for treatment and the trial went on without him being present.

After being initially charged and incarcerated, Ninjaman was released on bail in 2012. However, at the start of the October 17 trial presiding judge Justice Martin Gayle ordered that his bail be revoked so the case could proceed immediately. The case, which had seen 17 trial dates and 23 mention dates, was transferred to a special court which handles cases on the books for more than five years.

Hailing from the parish of St Mary, Ninjaman came to prominence in the 1980s.

He is known for songs including Artical Don, Border Clash, and Cover Me featuring Tinga Stewart.