Phillip Monroe Ballard, Murder for Hire, Texas 2012

FORT WORTH, Texas - In a shocking turn of events, Phillip Monroe Ballard, 72, of Fort Worth, has been convicted of attempting to hire a hitman to take out a federal judge in Texas.

The verdict was returned this afternoon after approximately two days of trial and less than an hour of deliberation. From September 9, 2012, to September 27, 2012, Ballard solicited the murder for hire of a U.S. District Judge in the Northern District of Texas.

During trial, the jury heard from four government witnesses, one of whom was an informant who testified he had developed a friendship with Ballard as they both were in custody on unrelated criminal matters. The informant stated that Ballard had asked him if he would help him arrange the shooting death of the judge, who was presiding over his federal tax case.

They eventually negotiated a price of $100,000. The informant reported the incident to authorities and the plot was foiled before any harm came to the judge.

Ballard's defense claimed he never had any actual intent to kill the judge. The jury disagreed and convicted him as charged.

U.S. District Judge Donald E. Walter from the Western District of Louisiana presided over the trial. He has set sentencing for March 2014 in Fort Worth, at which time Ballard faces up to 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Ballard will remain in custody pending the hearing.

The case was investigated by the FBI. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Mark McIntyre and Craig Feazel from the Southern District of Texas are prosecuting the case.

Mandatory facts: Defendant/Respondent REAL full name - Phillip Monroe Ballard, Exact criminal charges - Murder for Hire, City and state - Fort Worth, Texas, Exact date - September 9, 2012 - September 27, 2012, Sentence or outcome - Up to 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdtx/pr/jury-convicts-inmate-murder-hire-plot-against-federal-judge