Convicted Murderer Found Dead In Jail Cell
CHIPPEWA FALLS, Wis. (AP) -- A man convicted of murder less than two weeks ago has been found dead in his Chippewa County Jail cell.
Chippewa County sheriff's officials say William Andru Ball, of Minot, N.D., was found unresponsive in his cell Sunday. Authorities have not commented on a possible cause of death. An autopsy is scheduled this week.
The 22-year-old Ball was convicted April 6 of fatally shooting 24-year-old Kyle Ryba and wounding his estranged wife, 18-year-old Stephanie Ball, at her father's home in Boyd last April. Prosecutors say jealousy motivated Ball to open fire. Defense attorneys said Ball had "adequate provocation" for the shooting and argued for second-degree intentional homicide.
The Chippewa Herald reports Ball's sentencing was scheduled for June 1. His conviction carried a mandatory life sentence, but a judge could have set a parole eligibility date.
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