SYRACUSE, N.Y. -- James Ball, who's charged with murder in the July 4 shooting death of his brother-in-law, returned to court Thursday, where bail was set at $150,000 cash or bond.
Christopher Ross was shot Tuesday morning at a Cicero home and died, after police said an altercation between the two escalated. Ross was 40.
Ball is a a North Syracuse Central School District teacher, husband and father of two, and well-known and liked in the neighborhood.
Ball allegedly shot Ross with a .22 caliber rifle. The District Attorney's Office believes Ball made an effort to "retrieve the gun and load it" before firing it four times.
Ball's defense attorney says his client's black eye is a result of the fight.