PD News

October 28, 2010

Ex-Pittston man nearing homicide trial

Prosecutors say Sinard Ballard planned a robbery that led to a fatal shooting.

By Sheena Delazio sdelazio@timesleader.com
Staff Writer
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WILKES-BARRE – A former Pittston resident is one step closer to standing trial on homicide and related robbery charges in connection with an October 2007 shooting.

Sinard Ballard, 21, formerly of Parsonage Avenue, appeared in Luzerne County Court Friday with his attorneys, John Pike and Michael Senape, who discussed Ballard’s case with assistant district attorneys Samuel Sanguedolce and Frank McCabe.

Ballard pleaded not guilty in November to third-degree murder and robbery charges stemming from the planned robbery of John Paglianite, 32, who Ballard’s girlfriend, Corissa Breznay, said robbed her of heroin and money.

The robbery turned deadly when Ballard’s friend, Marcellus Thomas, 20, allegedly shot John Johnson, 19, and Paglianite multiple times in a Pittston residence. Johnson later died, while Paglianite survived two gunshot wounds.

Luzerne County Senior Judge Chester Muroski set a hearing for May 17 for the attorneys to argue pre-trial motions. No trial date has yet been scheduled for Ballard.

Thomas, of Philadelphia, pleaded guilty to third-degree murder and is awaiting sentencing on that charge, as well as criminal attempt to commit homicide, robbery and two firearms charges.

Prosecutors claim Ballard planned the robbery during a phone call from the county prison, where he was serving time on unrelated drug offenses.

Ballard arranged for Breznay to pick up Thomas in Philadelphia and bring him back to Luzerne County. During the course of the day on Oct. 15, Breznay said she saw Thomas with a .45-caliber pistol in the waistband of his pants.

Breznay’s brother, Michael Breznay, testified at a preliminary hearing that the plan was to go into the Pittston home, get back the money and drugs and leave.

Michael Breznay, who was waiting in a vehicle outside the Pittston home the night of the shooting, testified he heard 10 to 14 gunshots coming from inside the house. When Thomas got back to the car, he said he had shot Paglianite and Johnson, police said.

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