KINGSTON, Jamaica — The highly anticipated appeal hearing for dancehall icon Desmond “Ninja Man” Ballentyne and his two co-convicts has been pushed back once again, after fresh legal issues disrupted the start of proceedings.
The matter, which was set for a full week of oral arguments starting today, has now been provisionally rescheduled to the week of March 23 next year.
The delay surrounds co-convict Dennis Clayton, whose attorney recently fell ill. Clayton’s new lawyer was retained only days before the appeal was set to open, leaving little time to review what insiders describe as a massive, complex case file.
One of the major issues expected to take centre stage on appeal is visual identification.
Adding to the complications, celebrated defence attorney Valerie Neita Robertson, KC, who had represented Ninja Man, passed away in February. The entertainer is now represented by attorney Robert Fletcher.
King’s Counsel Peter Champagnie, who appears for Ninja Man’s son, Janeil, said he was fully prepared to proceed but acknowledged that the court cannot move forward unless all co-appellants are properly represented.
“Like all matters involving co-accused, the case cannot be heard disjointedly,” Champagnie said on Monday. “It’s a setback, but it’s understandable.”
Ninja Man, his son, and Clayton were sentenced to life in prison in 2017 for the 2009 murder of Ricardo Johnson in Kingston.
Justice Martin Gayle handed down the sentences in the Home Circuit Court following the trio’s conviction for murder and shooting with intent.
Prosecutors had argued that the killing came one day after a domestic dispute in the Lower Mall Road community of St Andrew. According to the Crown, the men returned armed with guns and other weapons, chased Johnson and a witness, and during the attack, Johnson was shot in the side as he attempted to defend himself.
The dancehall veteran’s appeal continues to face delays — but all eyes will again turn to the courts next March, when the matter is expected to finally be heard.
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