State revokes probation for Ballard

Two men were sent to prison last Monday when the District Court met in Clarendon after they violated conditions of probation.

District Attorney Luke Inman, assisted by Assistant District Attorney Greg Buckley, prosecuted the cases for the State of Texas with District Judge Stuart Messer presiding.

Raymond Ballard was convicted and sentenced to 15 years in the Institutional Division of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice after pleading true to the allegations listed in the state’s Motion to Adjudicate Guilt of Defendant.

Ballard originally pleaded guilty on July 7, 2008, to the second degree felony of manslaughter and received four years deferred adjudication. Subject to certain conditions of probation, Ballard was required to attend and successfully complete the SAFPF program, which focuses on drug rehabilitation. Ballard was expelled from the program, and the state’s motion was filed shortly thereafter.

Ballard had been arrested last August and charged with manslaughter after Thomas Childress Herman was found dead in his Clarendon apartment last July.

Before that Ballard had been arrested on 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.

Robert Harris was convicted and sentenced to 16 months in the State Jail Division of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice after pleading true to the allegations listed in the state’s Motion to Adjudicate Guilt of Defendant.

Harris originally pleaded guilty on April 20, 2009, to the state jail felony offense of burglary of a building and received two years deferred adjudication. Subject to certain conditions of probation, Harris was required to attend and successfully complete the Hidalgo

Community Supervision and Corrections Department Restitution Center. On July 24, 2009, Harris absconded from the facility and a motion was filed shortly thereafter.
After Harris’ plea of true to the allegations, ADA Greg Buckley presented evidence on behalf of the State, and Judge Messer sentenced Harris to 16 months.

Also last week, the court met in Childress on Tuesday and one plea took place.

Childress County Attorney Greg Buckley, prosecuted the case for the State of Texas with the Honorable Judge Jay Mayden presiding.

Kay Teague Madison was placed on probation for a period of two years for the Class A Misdemeanor offense of theft. Madison pleaded guilty to both offenses and was placed on deferred adjudication.

Madison was arrested in Childress County on March 27, 2008, for the theft charge. Pursuant to the plea agreement, Madison is required to pay $1,290.00 restitution to the Childress Index, a $2,000 fine to
Childress County and $290 in court costs, among other conditions of probation. If Madison violates probation, she could face up to one year in the Childress County Jail.