BY RACQUEL PORTER Observer staff reporter porterr@jamaicaobserver.com Tuesday, December 19, 2017
ENTERTAINER Ninjaman was told by Judge Martin Gayle yesterday that his prominence and success do not put him above the law as he sentenced him to life in prison for the murder of Ricardo “Ricky Trooper” Johnson in 2009.
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| Veteran entertainer Desmond “Ninjaman” Ballentine (right) enters the Home Circuit Court in downtown Kingston yesterday prior to sentencing. (Photos: Bryan Cummings) |
The entertainer, who was convicted last month for murder and shooting with intent, will have to serve 25 years before he's eligible for parole.
The deejay, whose given name is Desmond Ballentine, was also sentenced to 20 years for shooting with intent. Both sentences will run concurrently.
Meanwhile, his co-accused — son Jahneil and Dennis Clayton — who were also sentenced to life will have to serve 15 years before they are eligible for parole.
Justice Gayle, referencing a previous gun conviction, said one would have thought that the entertainer would have learnt then that the gun is a very serious weapon. “Now, in 2017, you are back before the court for using the gun,” Justice Gayle said prior to handing down the sentence.
Having taken into consideration Ninjaman's antecedents, including two previous convictions, Justice Gayle said as a public figure he is expected to set an example. more
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