FRANKLIN COUNTY (KFSM)-- A bond was set Wednesday (Nov. 18) for a man accused of stabbing another man to death this past September.
The Franklin County Sheriff’s Office arrested 28-year-old Lester Ballinger on Tuesday (Nov. 17) on suspicion of first-degree murder. He’s accused of killing 23-year-old Justin Broomfield on Sept. 6, 2015.
“We've been waiting 73 days for this,” Amber Fortenberry, Broomfield's cousin said.
“I hope he never sees daylight again,” Madison Evans, Broomfield’s fiancé said. “We all do.”
Prosecuting Attorney David Gibbons said Ballinger's bond was set at $300,000. Broomfield’s family said that’s too low.
“We took into account all the factors that are to be taken into account and came up with $300,000,” Gibbons said. "First-degree murder bonds have been less than $100,000, it just depends on each case."
The sheriff’s office said Ballinger had been a suspect since the beginning of the investigation.
“We just expected him the whole time,” Cheryl Robinson, cousin said.
Even though Broomfield's family said the night he died was the first time the two had met.
“I made Bubba a promise the day that we buried him that I would not give up, and I didn't,” Fortenberry said. “I never would.”
Broomfield's fiancé said one of the hardest things in all of this, is knowing their son will grow up without a father.
“He'll always be with Jayce,” Evans said. “He'll never be far. He'll know who Justin is always.”
Ballinger’s next court date is set for January 7, according to the prosecutor.
