HUTCHINSON, Kan. — A 38-year-old man who has been in prison since he was sentenced in April of 2004 for attempted first-degree murder and criminal possession of a firearm is still seeking relief from his 24-plus year sentence.

The conviction for Tony Ballard was upheld, but he has since sought relief from his conviction and sentence through a civil filing of a habeas corpus motion. Ballard believes he had ineffective assistance of council at trial, even though his attorney at the time, Tim O’Keefe, came back for a hearing on the matter and testified as to what his defense was. The court ruled against Ballard.

Ballard was convicted of shooting at Phil Simpson at his home in the 900 block of East 8th back on Sept. 23, 2003.

The case is scheduled to be before Judge Trish Rose on Friday for a status hearing in the case, according to the judge’s docket.