RICHMOND, Va. -- Travis Ball, the man who was sentenced to 36 years in prison for killing Virginia State Trooper Mike Walter, pleaded guilty to a federal gun charge Wednesday.
Ball voluntarily plead guilty on a possession of a firearm by convicted felon. It was not part of plea agreement, so Ball does not get any time off or something in return for his plea to the judge Wednesday.
The charge is in connection to the killing of Walter on May 26, 2017. Ball shot and killed Walter after Walter approached the car where Ball sat in Richmond’s Mosby Court.
According to the indictment, Ball, 30, possessed a .25 caliber firearm after previously being convicted of a felony.
Ball was charged with capital murder in the shooting death of Walter. He entered an Alford plea to one count of capital murder. An Alford Plea means Ball understood there was enough evidence to convict him of the crime, however, he did not admit guilt.
Shortly after the plea, then-Richmond Commonwealth’s Attorney Mike Herring announced Ball would no longer face the death penalty. Under the previously agreed upon plea deal, the Commonwealth of Virginia sought the maximum of 60 years in prison.
In October 2018, Circuit Court Judge Beverly W. Snukals sentenced Ball to 36 years in prison with a suspended life sentence. If Ball gets out and violates parole, he will then be sentenced to life in prison.
Walter's widow, Jamie Walter, turned her frustration with Ball’s sentence into action and fought for a new law that requires anyone convicted of the capital murder of a member of law enforcement to spend a minimum of life in prison.
Jamie was in the courtroom, just feet away from Ball, during the plea hearing Wednesday.
Ball is due back in court May 21 at 9:30 a.m. for formal sentencing. He faces a maximum of 10 years in prison added onto his 36-year prison sentence for killing Walter.
