Ninjaman is back in the Supreme Court in Kingston today for his sentencing hearing.
The dancehall legend, whose real name is Desmond Ballentine, was found guilty of murder unanimously by a seven-member jury on November 20th. Two more men, his son Janiel and close friend Dennis Clayton, were all found guilty of the same crime. According to authorities, Ninjaman shot and killed Ricardo Johnson in March of 2009 during a domestic dispute over kitchen space at a house on Marl Road, Kingston 13.
Ninjaman represents the latest dancehall artists to be sent to prison for a serious crime. Vybz Kartel was sentenced to life in 2014 for a murder conviction, while Buju Banton is serving ten tears in a U.S. prison for drug trafficking. Dancehall deejay Munga Honorable is currently awaiting trial also for a murder case. Some dancehall fans thinks that there is a conspiracy against local entertainers where authorities are using them to send a message amidst growing concerns about crime.
Ninjaman, 50, has maintained his innocence and hinted last month that he will be appealing the conviction. He will likely be sentenced to life in prison with hard labor and will likely serve his sentence at the same prison where Vybz Kartel is housed, GP.
