Pa. man who killed ex, 3 others sentenced to death

EASTON, Pa. – A convicted murder who admitted killing his ex-girlfriend and three others last summer while on parole for a 1991 killing has been sentenced to death.

Jurors deliberated fewer than two hours Tuesday before deciding on four death sentences for 37-year-old Michael Eric Ballard. Ballard pleaded guilty last month to the stabbing deaths of 39-year-old Denise Merhi, her father, her grandfather and a neighbor who heard their screams and rushed to their aid.

Northampton County District Attorney John Morganelli argued that a life sentence would be little more than "coming home" for Ballard, who was on parole in a 1991 murder at the time of the killings.

But defense attorney Michael Corriere said the jury would be putting to death a man with brain damage if they condemn Ballard.