Judge Grants Ailing Murder Defendant Compassionate Release

By Lourdes Camarillo , Thomas Hinton - July 3, 2024
Daily Stories | Homicides | stabbing | Suspects | Victims |

DC Superior Court Judge Marisa Demeo granted a homicide defendant’s request for compassionate release due to steadily deteriorating health, during a July 2 hearing. 

Joseph Ballard, 60, is charged with first-degree murder while armed for his alleged involvement in the fatal stabbing of Monte Daniels, 33, on July 28, 2023, on the 1600 block of Benning Road, NE. 

According to court documents, Ballard allegedly stabbed Daniels once in the chest killing him over an argument about drugs.

In September, DC Superior Court Judge Rainey Brandt released Ballard on conditions he would receive treatment for his drug use. He was re-arrested due to his failure to appear in court, and had multiple issues with drug testing. 

Ballard’s attorney, Dominique Winters, said Ballard was diagnosed with metastatic lung cancer and heart failure. She told Judge Demeo he is currently receiving advanced hospital care, with his wife making most of his medical decisions. 

On July 3, the court heard Winters’s motion to release Ballard based on his current medical state. 

Judge Demeo cited a letter from a medical director at United Health Services, which stated that Ballard has lung cancer, hypertension, breathlessness, heart failure, cardiac issues, and fluid retention around the lungs that require continuous drainage so Ballard can breathe. 

According to Winters, the Department of Corrections (DOC) is unable to provide the defendant with the care that he requires. So, he will be placed in hospice care at his home and doctors believe that he only six months left to live. 

The victim’s family was present virtually on Webex and addressed the court directly with their complaint. 

“He should not be able to walk away with no responsibility. My son did not receive that same compassion when Ballard killed him,” the victim’s father said. 

Judge Demeo granted Ballard’s release on the conditions of 24-hour home confinement, GPS monitoring, and ordered that Ballard sign a release of medical records to the Pretrial Service Agency (PSA). 

Parties are slated to return July 10.