State v. Ballard

OPINION

FLANDERS, Justice.

The defendant, Michael A. Ballard (Ballard), appeals from the Superior Court’s denial of his motion to reduce his sentences. A jury convicted Ballard in 1979 of conspiracy to kidnap with intent to extort, two counts of kidnapping with intent to extort, kidnapping, carrying a pistol without a license, and three counts of assault with a dangerous weapon. His coconspirators, Alan R. Gomel (Gomel) and Salvatore L. Savastano, Jr. (Savastano), entered guilty pleas before trial and were sentenced to serve twenty-five years. 1 Bal lard, on the other hand, received two life…