Soldier convicted of murdering NCU student

Dave Lindo, Gleaner Writer

Jamaica Defence Force (JDF) soldier, Bernard Ballentine, has been convicted of the August 2010 murder of Northern Caribbean University student, Shannel Norris.

The guilty verdict was handed down this afternoon in the Manchester Circuit Court.

The 12-member jury retired for 55 minutes before returning the guilty verdict.

Justice Bertram Morrison presided at the trial.

The court heard that on August 11, 2010 Ballentine and Norris were traveling in his vehicle along Hart Road in Mandeville when an argument developed.

During the argument, a knife was used to slash the woman’s throat killing her on the spot.

Ballentine made his way to the nearby JDF training camp to tell his colleagues what had happened.

He was later handed over to the police and following investigations he was charged.

But in his defense, Ballentine who was represented by attorney-at-law, Velma Hylton, denied any involvement in the death.

He said he and his girlfriend were sitting in his car when they were attacked by men.

Ballentine said he managed to escape and ran to the JDF training camp for help.

Crown Counsel Sharon Millwood Moore prosecuted.



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