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On the same day the first of three men is set to be sentenced to prison time in the death of Crystal Rogers, the Ballard family is also thinking of this young woman.
Crystal’s aunt- Sherry Ballard Barnes- was only 19 when she never returned from running errands. Her dad, Till Ballard, told me years ago she was 7.5 months pregnant and her husband wanted a divorce and she wouldn't give it to him.
Police found Sherry's car 45 miles from her home, but her body would not be discovered for several agonizing years. Eventually, her husband Eddie Barnes and his friend George Weir were charged with murder.
Barnes' mom Betty Ballard told me they hit her over the head, shot her and then Weir took her remains to his house, set them on fire and scattered them on the farm where he lived.
Both men were tried by jury and convicted in her murder.
Today is her birthday. The Ballard family has been through so much… today is a tough reminder of that.
Steve Lawson is set to be formally sentenced at 3 p.m. today in Nelson County. A jury recommended 17 years, but ultimately the judge will make the final decision.
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