SPANISH FORT, Ala. — Circuit Court Judge James H. Reid recently denied a request filed by Mobile attorney James Byrd to allow transport of his client, Patrick Blake Young Ballard, to see a private physician.

The judge denied the request at a Dec. 20 hearing.

According to police reports, Ballard struck and killed two cyclists on Sept. 3 while driving a pickup truck.

Officials said he was allegedly under the influence of alcohol when he struck the two cyclists. William Frederick Imle, 48, of Daphne and Archie Leroy Clemons, Jr. 46, of Spanish Fort, were riding west on their bikes on Bromley Road when they were killed. A female passenger riding with Ballard was injured.

Ballard and his passenger, who has been unidentified, were admitted to the University of South Alabama Medical Center in Mobile for treatment on Sept. 3 and were later released.

Ballard was booked into the Baldwin County Corrections Center in Bay Minette on Sept. 4.

Ballard received follow-up care for injuries he sustained in the wreck. Dr. Charles Sherman, the physician for the Baldwin County Corrections Center, prescribed treatment to Ballard for back pain. Sherman testified at the hearing that he had sought consultation on Ballard’s case from a neurosurgeon in Mobile. The neurosurgeon reviewed Ballard’s X-rays to make sure he didn’t need to be seen by a neurosurgeon again.

According to chief assistant District Attorney Hallie Dixon, Sherman showed “an abundance of caution.” Dixon said Sherman has been under contract to provide services to inmates at the Baldwin County Correctional facility. The jail nurse also testified as to Ballard’s condition and physical activity.

“To transport Ballard would be a big burden on the taxpayer and a danger to the community,” Dixon said in a recent interview.

According to Dixon, Ballard’s case will be brought to the grand jury to determine what charges will be levied. Both Sheriff Huey “Hoss” Mack and Corrections Comm. Maj. Collins Wynn were available to testify but were not called to the stand. Ballard’s bond remains set at $300,000.

In June 2005, Ballard was charged with manslaughter in the death of another bicyclist, Larry McDuff. McDuff’s family decided to forgive Ballard and not bring any charges against him.