District Attorney Summer McWhorter Summerford announced today that Ballard Pennington, Jr. was sentenced to LIFE in prison for two counts of Attempted Murder by Circuit Judge Jeremy Taylor in DeKalb County.

On January 7, 2024, law enforcement was dispatched to a reported stabbing in the Rainsville area.  A deputy with the DeKalb County Sheriffs Office located Pennington walking down the road close to the residence to which he was responding.  He noticed Pennigton had blood on his hands and subsequently stated, “I think I killed my mom and dad.”  The Deputy continued to the residence where he located two elderly individuals, a male and female, who had been stabbed multiple times each.  Additional officers from DCSO and Rainsville Police Department responded and aid was provided to the victims before they were transported by ambulance to the hospital.

Today, September 10, 2024, Pennington entered a guilty plea to two counts of attempted murder and, because of his extensive criminal history, was sentenced to LIFE in prison.

“We are thankful that justice was served in this case.  Individuals deserve to be safe in their own homes – and from their own family members.  We are so thankful that both victims survived this attack.  We hope, with this resolution, they never have to face this type of violence again.  Please keep this family in your thoughts and prayers,” stated Summerford.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Stanna Guice.