By Alicia Cruz
The Black Urban Times
The Totowa man found dead in Paterson this weekend is a former United States Marine who had been convicted of manslaughter in the 2009 death of a Jacksonville, North Carolina woman.
Joseph Ballard, 30, of Totowa was found dead Saturday from a single gunshot wound to his face. According to a news release from the Paterson police department, Ballard was carrying more than $100 when he was found sitting in the driver’s seat of his Nissan Pathfinder near the intersection of Fair and Auburn Streets. He recently returned to New Jersey after he was released from prison in North Carolina.
So far, police have recovered a slug from the shooting, but are only saying that the bullet came from a gun larger than a 9MM weapon.
Ballard, who was attached to the 2nd Battalion, 6th Marine Division aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, served a six-month tour in the Middle East during 2007 that earned him the Iraq Campaign medal.
The former decorated Marine joined the Corps in January 2006, achieving the rank of Lance Corporal, according to Maj. Shawn Haney, the public affairs officer, Quantico, Virginia. It is believed that Ballard left the Marine Corps in July 2008, but that cannot be confirmed, as the Marine Corp does not disclose the discharge date of a former service member unless his discharge involved a courts martial.
Ballard, a machine gunner while on active duty, earned several service awards including the National Defense Service Medal and the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal.
He was convicted in March 2009 of involuntary manslaughter and driving while impaired after he hit Lisa Gail Smith on Highway 24 as she was riding her scooter. Smith was dressed in proper personal protective gear including a helmet and reflective vest when Ballard turned in front of her scooter causing it to collide with his vehicle.
According to an article in the Jacksonville Daily News, at the time of the accident, Smith had a blood alcohol content of 0.15. The legal limit in the state if North Carolina is 0.08.
North Carolina Department of Correction records show Ballard was released from prison in February after serving 11 months on the charges.
A woman who answered the door of a house on Passaic Avenue in Hawthorne listed in public records as Ballard’s address said she wanted everyone to know that Ballard was a good guy, but had no other comment. A man who answered the door at Ballard’s family home in Totowa refused comment.
Paterson police Capt. Heriberto Rodriguez said they are attempting locate potential witnesses to the murder of the troubled former Marine, but that search has been made difficult due to the fact that the area where the murder occurred has a large transient population.
“We’re tracking down everyone that was possibly out there,” he said. “But other than that, we don’t have anything,” Rodriguez told the New Jersey Record.
Anyone with information on the murder of Joseph Scott Ballard is asked to call the Passaic County Prosecutor's Office or the Paterson Police Department at 973-321-1120.
The Black Urban Times
The Totowa man found dead in Paterson this weekend is a former United States Marine who had been convicted of manslaughter in the 2009 death of a Jacksonville, North Carolina woman.
Joseph Ballard, 30, of Totowa was found dead Saturday from a single gunshot wound to his face. According to a news release from the Paterson police department, Ballard was carrying more than $100 when he was found sitting in the driver’s seat of his Nissan Pathfinder near the intersection of Fair and Auburn Streets. He recently returned to New Jersey after he was released from prison in North Carolina.
So far, police have recovered a slug from the shooting, but are only saying that the bullet came from a gun larger than a 9MM weapon.
Ballard, who was attached to the 2nd Battalion, 6th Marine Division aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, served a six-month tour in the Middle East during 2007 that earned him the Iraq Campaign medal.
The former decorated Marine joined the Corps in January 2006, achieving the rank of Lance Corporal, according to Maj. Shawn Haney, the public affairs officer, Quantico, Virginia. It is believed that Ballard left the Marine Corps in July 2008, but that cannot be confirmed, as the Marine Corp does not disclose the discharge date of a former service member unless his discharge involved a courts martial.
Ballard, a machine gunner while on active duty, earned several service awards including the National Defense Service Medal and the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal.
He was convicted in March 2009 of involuntary manslaughter and driving while impaired after he hit Lisa Gail Smith on Highway 24 as she was riding her scooter. Smith was dressed in proper personal protective gear including a helmet and reflective vest when Ballard turned in front of her scooter causing it to collide with his vehicle.
According to an article in the Jacksonville Daily News, at the time of the accident, Smith had a blood alcohol content of 0.15. The legal limit in the state if North Carolina is 0.08.
North Carolina Department of Correction records show Ballard was released from prison in February after serving 11 months on the charges.
A woman who answered the door of a house on Passaic Avenue in Hawthorne listed in public records as Ballard’s address said she wanted everyone to know that Ballard was a good guy, but had no other comment. A man who answered the door at Ballard’s family home in Totowa refused comment.
Paterson police Capt. Heriberto Rodriguez said they are attempting locate potential witnesses to the murder of the troubled former Marine, but that search has been made difficult due to the fact that the area where the murder occurred has a large transient population.
“We’re tracking down everyone that was possibly out there,” he said. “But other than that, we don’t have anything,” Rodriguez told the New Jersey Record.
Anyone with information on the murder of Joseph Scott Ballard is asked to call the Passaic County Prosecutor's Office or the Paterson Police Department at 973-321-1120.
I knew Joe Ballard and he was a good guy. I didn't know for a few years that he died and looked until I found another Marine that knew. I just now found out that he died April 27th. On our tour I was shot multiple times on April 27th which doesn't mean much but I didn't know.
ReplyDeleteHow quick things can change. One day we're the tip of the spear and the next it's all gone. I know Joe was a good guy and it's unfortunate what happened. I'm sorry the woman died and I'm sorry this bullshit happened to him as well.
We drank quite a bit on our way out. I don't remember him doing 11 months but maybe he did out in town. As far as I know the Corps just sent him home based or circumstances.
He was driving our friend's S-10 at dusk and pulled onto the highway, I think, but at any rate he was hit by a moped without lights on. They both had been drinking and he told me himself at HP 455 that he had around 6 beers before driving.
JOE, WAS MY FRIEND. Til Valhalla!
He killed a woman and was looking to but herion. We all have demons
ReplyDeleteVery sad , I went to high school with him… RIP Joe 😔
ReplyDelete