Opinion ID: 1365800
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 10

Heading: The James Ballard Case

Text: In July 1988, James Ballard shot Rodney Edwards in the face. A witness apparently saw the gun in Mr. Ballard's hand, and saw him discharge the gun at point-blank range into Mr. Edward's face. Mr. Edwards lived, and Mr. Ballard was later convicted of malicious wounding. Two weeks after the shooting, Mr. Edwards brought a civil lawsuit against Mr. Ballard, seeking monetary damages. Throughout 1988 and 1989, attorneys for the parties conducted discovery, including taking the deposition of the sole witness to the shooting, James Harless. Mr. Ballard discharged his attorney sometime in 1991. Sometime in 1994 or 1995, the respondent was hired to represent Mr. Ballard in an unsuccessful petition for a writ of habeas corpus. On April 28, 1995, the respondent entered an appearance on behalf of Mr. Ballard in the civil suit. i.