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<p>A state appellate court denied to reduce a lengthy prison sentence for a Philadelphia man who pleaded guilty to orchestrating a robbery that turned deadly in Pittston nearly 11 years ago.</p><p>Sinard Alex Ballard, 30, appealed his sentence of 20 to 40 years in state prison that was imposed by Luzerne County Senior Judge Chester Muroski in September 2010, after he pleaded guilty to third-degree murder and robbery.</p><p>In exchange for the plea agreement, prosecutors withdrew a second-degree murder charge that has a maximum term of life in prison.</p><p>Ballard claimed in his appeal he pleaded guilty due solely to his trial lawyers, David Lampman and John Pike, who told him he would serve nine to 18 years.</p><p>Ballard contended since he was given false information, he should have been allowed to withdraw his plea and proceed to trial.</p><p>State Police at Wyoming alleged Ballard, while jailed at the Luzerne County lockup on unrelated drug charges, planned to rob Jason Paglianite, who was accused by Ballard&#8217;s then girlfriend, Corissa Breznay, of stealing money and heroin. Investigators said Ballard instructed Marcellus Thomas, 29, of Philadelphia, to rob Paglianite.</p><p>Thomas forced his way inside a house on Market Street, Pittston, on Oct. 15, 2007, and shot Paglianite and John Johnson. Paglianite survived two gunshot wounds while Johnson died at Geisinger Wyoming Valley Medical Center in Plains Township.</p><p>Thomas pleaded guilty to third-degree murder in September 2009 and was sentenced in October 2010 to 30 to 60 years in state prison.</p><p>The state Superior Court has upheld Ballard&#8217;s sentence on previous appeals, and the state Supreme Court has denied to hear any of his appeals.</p><style>
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<div class="neFile"><img class="neImage" src="https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/web1_Sinard-Ballard-July-2010.croppedforWeb.jpg">
<div class="neCaption">Ballard </div></div><div class="metaInfo"><photo0>https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/web1_Sinard-Ballard-July-2010.croppedforWeb.jpg</photo0><caption0>Ballard </caption0><photoCredit0></photoCredit0></div></div>
<div class="metaInfo"><subheadMeta>Philadelphia man serving 20 to 40 years</subheadMeta></div><div class="metaInfo"><bylineMeta><p>By Ed Lewis</p><p>elewis@www.timesleader.com</p></bylineMeta></div>

Man loses appeal in 2007 Pittston murder