Man found guilty of charges related to May murder

A Pflugerville man indicted for murder was found not guilty of that, but guilty on two other charges in a Milam County Court on Monday.

According to Milam County First Assistant District Attorney Brian Price, a Milam County Jury on April 24 convicted 41-year-old Israel Ballester on two counts of Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon after a week-long trial. 

Price said Ballester was found not guilty on the murder charge. 

Sentencing will likely take place in May. 

A Milam County Grand Jury handed him indictments on those two counts plus one count of Murder last June. 

Price indicated that this was a difficult case as a second firearm was recovered at the scene, which belonged to one of the victims. 

Though based on evidence, it is not believed the firearm was pulled out by the victim, the jury felt there was at least some reasonable doubt on that. 

Price also thanked the jury for their service in making a difficult decision and extended condolences to the families of the victim. 

He added that the result in this case underscores the importance of the work in prosecuting cases and the DA’s office will remain committed to holding those who commit violent actions accountable. 

The charges stem from a shooting May 8, 2022, south of Rockdale that left one man dead and two others hurt. 

Milam County Sheriff Mike Clore said deputies had responded to the shooting about 1 a.m. that morning and found Dalton Shaw dead of gunshot wounds. 

Clore said James Braden Eudy and Brandon Fenton Carl were also rushed to the hospital for gunshot wounds. 

Ballester was arrested at the scene. 

Investigators believe the shooting arose out of a property dispute. 

No one involved was a full time Milam County resident.