Formal Sentencing Date Set For Ballard In Murder Case

A Woodford County judge has scheduled formal sentencing for the man convicted last month in the brutal murder of six-year-old Wesley Mullins back in 2007.

Lewis "Buck" Ballard, 51, was convicted of intentional murder and sodomy in the case on October 18. Mullins was killed while the boy was visiting his grandfather's home in Bourbon County in August 2007. The prosecution contended that the boy was killed to keep him from talking about sexual abuse he suffered at the hands of Ballard.

The jury in the case recommendation for life without parole was for the murder charge. A second life sentence was recommended by the jury on the sodomy charge. The jury had the option of recommending the death penalty for Ballard in the case.

Formal sentencing for Ballard is set for January 14.

The murder trial was moved to Woodford County after officials were unsuccessful in trying to seat an impartial jury in Bourbon County.

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