By Alexandria Randolph
The Highlander
Garrett James Ballard will go to the 33rd District Court Monday to face trial in the fatal shooting of his two friends just over two years ago.
The plea deadline for Ballard, a 23-year-old Burnet County man who was indicted on a capital murder of multiple persons charge in Nov. 6, 2014, was at 1:30 p.m., Tuesday, Nov. 29.
District Attorney Sonny McAfee said Ballard pled not guilty in an arraigment hearing early on in the court proceedings. Ballard's trial is scheduled for Monday, Dec. 5.
“I expect it will take all week,” McAfee said regarding the trial, but could not comment further about potential tactics taken by the defense, namely local attorney Eddie Shell.
It is possible the defense will argue on grounds of diminished capacity, meaning that Ballard could receive a lesser sentence due to his admitted hallucinogen induced delusion during the time of the killings.
