Patrick Ballard Sentenced In Plea Deal

Drunk Driving Manslaughter The man who is charged with killing two Baldwin County cyclists in 2007 pleads guilty to manslaughter.

by Chad Petri

Published: Thu, January 15, 2009 - 7:31 pm CST Last Updated: Thu, January 15, 2009 - 7:34 pm CST

Patrick Ballard walked stoically into court Thursday. He was going to accept a legal compromise that puts him behind bars for up to 40 years.

“We believe the punishment and the plea agreement was appropriate it protects the community from him hopefully for a long time and we're glad to have the trial situation behind us for the family,” says Baldwin County District Attorney Judy Newcomb. Ballard accepted the lesser manslaughter charges instead of standing trial next month for murder. Newcomb says the family wanted to get this case over with.

“Being caught up in this judicial system as y'all know is traumatic so we feel very good that the judicial system part is behind them,” says Newcomb. Ballard sat with his head slumped in his shoulders as he listened to tearful pleas from the wives of Archie Clemons and Bill Imle. Both said they wanted Ballard put away for the longest time possible.

“He was distraught, upset and I believe you can honestly say remorseful,” says Ballard defense attorney James Bird. The judge ruled Ballard should serve two 20 year sentences back to back.

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carl Says:

Fri, Jan 16, 2009 at 6:24 am

Here was a young man completely out of control and has caused the deaths of three people.He earned every year that he received and probably more if your were to ask the family members of the deceased.This is a shame to see him throw his life away by directly causing the deaths of these people.Every one has problems but that shouldn’t be an excuse for what he did.