Manslaughter charge filed in local death

A Clarendon man is facing a manslaughter charge in the death of Thomas Childress Herman.

Sheriff Butch Blackburn said Raymond Ballard, age 37, was arrested last Wednesday as part of the ongoing investigation into Herman’s death.

Herman, age 52, was found dead in his Clarendon apartment at Fourth and Gorst on the morning of July 7.

Sheriff Blackburn and Chief Deputy Randy Bond conducted an investigation, and an autopsy was ordered by Justice of the Peace Connie Havens, the results of which are still pending.

It was soon discovered that forged checks were being written in Herman’s name; and, on July 9, Ballard was arrested and charged with possession of forged checks with Herman’s name on them. Ballard was also charged with possessing stolen credit cards not belonging to Herman.

Blackburn said a polygraph was run on Ballard on July 17 and a statement was received from the accused. That led Blackburn to meet with District Attorney Luke Inman on August 8 and receive the official complaint and charge of manslaughter.

Ballard remained in the Donley County Jail Monday morning with bond set at $50,000