4 teens indicted in Hurst slaying

HURST -- Four teens have been indicted on charges of capital murder on suspicion that they were involved in the slaying of a 20-year-old man near Hurst Junior High in February.

A Tarrant County grand jury returned the indictments on Friday against four 17-year-olds -- Miguel Alcorta, James Dallas Hudgins, Cary John Adair and Scott Thomas Defee.

The four remained in the Tarrant County Jail on Monday, with bail for each set at $500,000.

The four are accused in the death of Reed Ballard, who died of a gunshot wound to the chest.

Seven teens have been charged in the case. Two 16-year-olds entered plea agreements last month and were sentenced to probation until they turn 18.

Prosecutors are seeking to have a 15-year-old tried as an adult in the case. He is accused of being the shooter. The hearing is Wednesday in Fort Worth.

The three younger teens are not being identified because they are juveniles.

On Feb. 15, police say, Hudgins called one of Ballard's 18-year-old friends to buy marijuana. Ballard rode with his friend at the last minute, police said.

But the drug sale was a ruse to allow the teens to assault the 18-year-old in retaliation for an alleged burglary at Alcorta's apartment and the theft of drugs and other belongings, according to an arrest warrant affidavit.

According to testimony from one of the 16-year-olds, the 15-year-old fired into the passenger side of the Chevrolet Blazer, hitting Ballard.