The Innocent Man - Tommy Ward and Karl Fontenot now - Digital Spy Ward's most recent recording, "Home" with GRAMMY nominated country artist Mark Winston Kirk, is currently in the Top 100 on regional radio and is being played in more than 15 states across the United States, including Texas, Oklahoma, Louisiana, Arkansas, Georgia, Florida, and South Carolina. Read: Attorney General's Office Appeals Ruling That Would Vacate Sentence Of Tommy Ward, In Tuesdays filing, attorneys representing Ward argued the district judges ruling was fair and reasonable and echoed the judge that the withheld evidence creates a reasonable probability that the outcome would be different.. Ward had told police Haraway, 24, was stabbed and buried, but her skull, found more than a year after her disappearance, showed evidence of a gunshot wound and no evidence of stabbing, according to an autopsy. The Official YouTube Channel of Tommy Ward. The convictions of Ward and Fontenot have been the subject of numerous books, including John Grishams The Innocent Man, which he produced into a six-part documentary. Attorneys in Ada 'Innocent Man' case request judge vacate Ward's News 9s Barry Mangold will have more on the story on News 9 at 10 p.m. Be among the first to get breaking news, weather, and general news updates from News 9 delivered right to your inbox! Tommy has been recommended for parole at least twice, but turned down by the board in Oklahoma. Yale University Honors 9-Year-Old Scientist, Water Main Break In Tulsa Forces Limited Road Closure, Metro Summer Youth Camp Hopes To Prevent Violence In The Community, OKC Thunder, Big Brothers & Big Sisters Host Clinic For Kids At Park, TCSO, 'Color Free America' Hold Dialogue Between Citizens And Law Enforcement, First Responders Host Recruitment Fair In Tulsa, Doctors Warn Dangers Of Cannabis Edibles For Children. Breaking news: Judge orders Tommy released and vacates his conviction. The attorney generals office now has 20 days to respond. Among Fontenots legal team is Donald B. VerrilliJr., the U.S. solicitor general from 2011 to 2016. Tommy Ward one of the subjects of Netflixs true-crime docuseries The Innocent Man, who was convicted of abduction, rape and the murder of an Oklahoma woman is to be released from prison (where he was sentenced to life) and all charges against him dismissed, Wards legal team announced Saturday. 19 talking about this. Court upholds overturned conviction in 'Innocent Man' case In addition to his impressive performances, Ward has a true passion for music and the arts. Attorneys in Ada 'Innocent Man' murder case 'blown away' by content of The convictions were based almost entirely on accounts they said they retrieved from dreams. More to come. Tommy Ward - Official Site Tommy Ward is a critically acclaimed singer and entertainer from Las Vegas who has a deep love and appreciation for legendary musicians and crooners. Newly filed court documents reveal that a man who was one of the subjects of "The Innocent Man" is set to be released from prison. The Oklahoma Court of Criminal Appeals on Friday reinstated Tommy Ward's murder conviction in an infamous 1984 case out of Ada. Both are model prisoners. What Happened To Tommy Ward And Karl Fontenot? 'The Innocent Man Breaking news: Judge orders Tommy released and vacates his conviction. About Tommy Ward Critically acclaimed singer, musician, and entertainer. She was 24. Oklahomas Court of Criminal Appeals, however, argued that the district court had abused its discretion in that instance. Fontenot was released in December 2019 at the age of 55 after a federal judge ordered he be released or retried. mail Fontenot was released from prison after a federal judge in Oklahoma ruled in 2019 that the state committed numerous constitutional violations. As a nonprofit news organization,The Frontieris funded by tax-deductible donations made by people who support quality journalism. The order is the latest in a string of decisions rebuking the convictions of Ward and Karl Fontenot for an infamous 1984 murder documented in two books and a recent Netflix documentary. The judge said newly discovered evidence about Fontenot's alibi and other suspects in the murder provided "solid proof" of his probable innocence. The Oklahoma attorney general is appealing the ruling. She doesnt believe he could be given a fair trial after more than 30 years. The tribulations faced by the pair are depicted in Netflix's latest true crime docu-series, "The Innocent Man," based on the John Grisham book of the same name. Tuesday, they filed a brief with the Oklahoma Court of Criminal Appeals. Judge vacates sentence; Tommy Ward to be set free "They have now been in prison for 31 years, serving hard time for a murder committed by someone else. Want to support our mission to hold powerful people accountable, give a voice to the voiceless, and shine a light on darkness in Oklahoma? Its clear as day.. For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. Later that year, an Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation Agent interviewed Tommy Ward, who said he, Karl Fontenot, and another man robbed the store Haraway worked at, then stabbed and raped. The judge also called the evidence against Ward circumstantial and said nearly all of the details in his confession were inaccurate. Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged in, Please refresh your browser to be logged in, Prisoner seen in Netflixs The Innocent Man has conviction reinstated, refused to take up the case and to examine the states appeal, Extra 20% off selected fashion and sportswear at Very, Up to 20% off & extra perks with Booking.com Genius Membership, 50 cash with friend referrals at Virgin Mobile, 15% off extra plans with this Vodafone promo, Compare broadband packages side by side to find the best deal for you, Compare cheap broadband deals from providers with fastest speed in your area, All you need to know about fibre broadband, Best Apple iPhone Deals in the UK March 2023, Compare iPhone contract deals and get the best offer this March, Compare the best mobile phone deals from the top networks and brands. Create your free profile and get access to exclusive content. An autopsy showed evidence that she had been shot and no sign that she had been stabbed, per The AP. After Haraways remains were found in 1986 in rural Hughes County, forensic analysis showed that many of the details in Fontenots and Wards confessions were wrong. Ada store clerk Denice Haraway was abducted and killed on April 28, 1984. . Fontenot's case was picked up by The Innocence Project in 2011, but there's . A spokeswoman for Attorney General John OConnor declined to comment on the pending cases. Ward's attorney, Mark Barrett, will also be filing an appeal for exoneration. But now, Wards release has been blocked by the state Attorney Generals Office. OK man arrested for. Sign up forOxygen Insiderfor all the best true crime content. Fontenot was released from prison after a federal judge in Oklahoma ruled in 2019 that the state committed numerous constitutional violations. But the men quickly recanted and have claimed for decades that police coerced them to say they killed Haraway. Justices may determine before the courts term ends this summer whether to review the case. Tommy Ward was one of two men serving a life sentence for the 1984 murder of Denice Haraway in Ada. So thats the reason I gave them an untrue statement so they would leave me alone.. We promise to never spam you. Per The Associated Press, the convictions were based almost entirely on accounts they said they retrieved from dreams, and came after hours of interrogation by Ada police and state agents desperate to solve the disappearance of Haraway in 1984, just two years after the unsolved rape and murder of another young woman in the small central Oklahoma town.. The Oklahoma attorney general is appealing the ruling. Attorneys For Tommy Ward 'The Innocent Man' Continue Fight For His Release From Jail. Wr Hines Ward - NFL.com /a > attorneys representing Tommy Ward was one of two serving! Tommy's legal team dedicated to freeing Tommy Ward from prison for a crime he did not commit.. Oklahoma Attorney General's Office Appeals Release Of Tommy Ward - BART TORRES, 99.7FM The Highway Vibe. Ward and Fontenot were both granted a retrial a few years later, and again found guilty of Haraway's death. You can opt-out at any time. Fontenot and Thomas Ward were convicted of killing Ada convenience store clerk Donna Denice Haraway in 1984. Along with co-defendant Tommy Ward, Karl Fontenot was convicted twice in the kidnapping and murder of Donna Denise Haraway from an Ada convenience store in 1984 and sentenced to life without. "Everything about their confession has been proven wrong by the discovery of the body," attorney Janet Davis noted in the documentary. He reminds me of working with Frank Sinatra in some strange way." FILE - This photo provided by the Oklahoma Department of Corrections shows Tommy Ward, who has spent 35 years in prison in a murder case featured in the book and television series 'The Innocent. Additional reporting by The Associated Press. Share Tweet Tommy Ward one of the subjects of Netflix's true-crime docuseries "The Innocent Man," who was convicted of abduction, rape and the murder of an Oklahoma woman is to be released from . Fontenot has been released pending a decision from the United States 10th Circuit Court of Appeals. Hes very disappointed that hes still in prison for a murder he didn't commit, Wards attorney Mark Barrett told The Associated Press on Tuesday (30 August), adding that the legal team is pressing forward and exploring the possibility of going to federal court.. You can opt-out at any time. Both Ward and . The state also claims witnesses saw men matching Ward and Fontenots descriptions in the convenience store where Haraway worked before she disappeared. attempted to take on Fontenot's case in 2013, a 2017 interview with The Marshall Project. When you read their briefs, they dont take issue with the fact that this information was withheld from him. More to come. His conviction is the subject of the Netflix docu-series "The . He is now 58 years old and says he will not admit guilt even if it means improving his chances at parole. YOU'VE REACHED YOUR MONTHLY ARTICLE LIMIT. He is currently serving time at the Dick Conner Correctional Center in Hominy in Oklahoma. Judge vacates Tommy Ward's sentences in 'The Innocent Man' case "The Innocent Man" Tommy Ward files another brief - KFOR.com Subscribe for the latest music videos, performances, and more!Tommy's new album "From This Moment On" available n. Tommy Ward to be set free . Karl Fontenot, Tommy Ward. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and filming for Halloween Ends to release on October 14, 2022 with! This is new info, and were trying to figure what this means right now. U.S. Supreme Court declines to hear 'Innocent Man' case Ive never been in jail or had a police record in my life and no one in my face telling me Id killed a pretty woman, that Im going to get the death penalty, so I told them the story hoping they would leave me alone. The victim, Donna Denice Haraway, disappeared from the McAnally's convenience store in Ada on April 28, 1984. Create a free profile to get unlimited access to exclusive videos, breaking news, sweepstakes, and more! The ruling, dated Friday, said the withheld evidence, which included witness interviews and police reports, had been available to Ward's defense since 2003 and was not included in Ward's direct appeal after his 1999 conviction. OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) - Convicted murderer Tommy Ward has filed a brief in response to the Attorney General's motion to keep him locked up in prison. Ward's newly released EP From This Moment On, (2022) produced by LeCoq Records, showcases his stunning vocal abilities and features truly unique arrangements played by some of the world's most respected musicians, including Bill Cunliffe, John Pattitucci, Vinny Colaiuta, and others. Ward was featured in the Netflix. Tommy Ward was scheduled to be released in December 2020, but . News9.com is proud to provide Oklahomans with timely and relevant news and information, have asked the court of appeals . Denice Haraway of Ada, Oklahoma went in for an ordinary day of work at her convenience store job on April 28, 1984. Oklahoma seeks to uphold the murder conviction of Karl Fontenot in the murder of Donna "Denice" Haraway. Fight for his release from jail crime Netflix Series was released back in 2018, and temporary. The state court of criminal appeals voted unanimously to reinstate Tommy Ward's murder conviction. In 2020, District Judge Paula Inge vacated his conviction, dismissed the charges against him, and ordered him set free. Tuesday, they filed a brief with the Oklahoma Court of Criminal Appeals. Tommy Ward andKarl Fontenot were sentenced to death in 1985 for the murder of Denice Haraway, despite the fact that their confessions didn't match the crime they were accused of. Attorneys For Tommy Ward 'The Innocent Man' Continue Fight For His Release From Jail. "Tommy is the epitome of great music. The Oklahoma Attorney Generals Office has asked the U.S. Supreme Court to uphold the conviction of one man in the 1984 murder of an Ada convienince store worker featured featured The Innocent Man. And Mr. Fontenot has also established that evidence suppressed by the State prior to his new trial in 1988 led to a violation of his constitutional right to due process., More:Human remains found, Oklahoma white supremacist leader might be connected. Oxygen Insider is your all-access pass to never-before-seen content, free digital evidence kits, and much more! Both Ward and Fontenot would go on to recant their confessions. Ward and a co-defendant, Karl Fontenot, were convicted and sentenced to life in prison in the 1984 kidnapping and killing of Donna Denice Haraway, a convenience store clerk in Ada, Oklahoma. Judge orders 'Innocent Man' defendant freed - Enidnews.com The Court of Criminal Appeals ordered Tommy Ward, 60, to remain imprisoned while the state appeals the lower court's ruling that he be released. Ward and a co-defendant, Karl Fontenot, were convicted and sentenced to life in prison in the 1984 kidnapping and killing of Donna Denice Haraway, a convenience store clerk in Ada, Oklahoma. Both judges found the defendants constitutional rights were violated by police and prosecutors who until 2019 didnt turn over more than 300 pages of documents that would have helped the defendants. They cant. Keep up-to-date with everything that happens in your world. Ward and a co-defendant, Karl Fontenot, were convicted and sentenced to life in prison in the 1984 kidnapping and killing of Donna Denice Haraway, a convenience store clerk in Ada, Oklahoma. However, court documents filed on Monday (29 August) show that on Friday (26 August), Oklahomas Court of Criminal Appeals reversed the judges decision and reinstated Wards conviction. Meanwhile, Fontenot, as explained in the Netflix series, had perhaps offered his testimony to the aggressive police because he both feared for his safety and wanted to escape from what was described as poverty and homelessness. Attorneys representing Tommy Ward continue to fight for his release from jail. The six-part docuseries series, based on John Grishams 2006 best-selling non-fiction book The Innocent Man: Murder and Injustice in a Small Town, tells the story of Ronald Keith Williamson, a man wrongfully convicted of rape and murder who spent 11 years on death row before he was exonerated. Tommy Ward is still behind bars waiting for an appeal. The state of Oklahoma filed a petition in the U.S. Supreme Court in January arguing that a federal law placing strict time limits on appeals should have barred the claims made in 2016 by Fontenot. The case was the subject of the book, The Dreams of Ada, by Robert Mayer, and was also described in John Grishams The Innocent Man, which became a Netflix documentary series. At time of writing, he is still serving his life sentence without the possibility of parole, and is now 54 years old. Fontenot, 57 and Tommy Ward, 61, were both twice convicted in Haraways murder. She said police and prosecutors withheld evidence that would have assisted Wards defense. I agree with TheWrap's Terms of Service and Privacy Policy and provide my consent to receive marketing communications from them. Mark Barrett and Greg Swygert , the attorneys representing Tommy Ward, spoke with The Frontier this week about the status of Ward's case to have his 1989 murder conviction and life sentence. But a Pontotoc County district judge ruled last month that prosecutors withheld key evidence in the case, including witness interviews and police reports, and ordered Wards release. OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) A man who has spent 35 years in prison in a murder case featured in the book and television series The Innocent Man must remain incarcerated even after a judge ordered his release, an appeals court ruled Thursday. The judge said newly discovered evidence about Fontenots alibi and other suspects in the murder provided solid proof of his probable innocence. Attorneys for a man convicted for the 1984 kidnapping and murder of an Ada woman say they plan to file a federal case to try and overturn his conviction after the Oklahoma Court of Criminal Appeals overturned a lower court's order that would have made him a free man. Heres a link to the decision, Mark Barrett & The Center on Wrongful Convictions tweeted, with the legal documents confirming the move attached. Both have excellent teams of lawyers who continue to work for their release.. Subscribe and Follow on Facebook and YouTube for the latest music. The Court of Criminal Appeals ordered Tommy Ward, 60, to remain imprisoned while the state appeals the lower court's ruling that he be released. The only evidence the state used in convicting Ward was a confession that he later claimed was spun wildly from a dream he reported, and only came out after intense pressure and hours of brutal interrogation. Local prosecutors again secured their convictions, based largely on their confessions. Tommy Ward from Netflix documentary has murder conviction reinstated Instead, she had died from a gunshot wound. All rights reserved. Oct 28, 2022. Freed man in 'Dreams of Ada' case slams state appeal to Supreme Court He often uses his platform to raise awareness for various charitable causes and uses his talents to give back to his community. Ward and Fontenot were sentenced to death on January 21, 1985 after being found guilty of murdering Haraway. Raising the same general categories on post-conviction that one raised on direct appeal, even if the basis is different, will result in a procedural bar," according to the state court's opinion. Tommy Ward is a critically acclaimed singer and entertainer from Las Vegas who has a deep love and appreciation for legendary musicians and crooners. Haraway had been shot rather than stabbed, was 20 miles away from where the men said her body had been dumped, and she had been wearing different clothes than those Ward and Fontenot described. Im still holding out hope that the attorney general of Oklahoma will change course here, take a close look at the case, said Greg Swygert, one of Wards attorneys. The Oklahoma Attorney General's Office has asked the U.S. Supreme Court to uphold the conviction of one man in the 1984 murder of an Ada convienince store worker featured featured The Innocent Man. Court rules 'Innocent Man' defendant to remain imprisoned - AP NEWS Wards attorneys said its far too late for Ward to receive a fair trial. Tommy Ward, Convicted Murderer and Subject of Netflix's 'The - TheWrap Tuesday, they filed a brief with the Oklahoma Court of Criminal . But one day before Ward's release, a temporary stay,. Court Extends Temporary Stay 1 Day Before Tommy Ward's Expected Release More damningly, Haraway had not been been stabbed as the young men had described. Tuesday, July 6th 2021, 11:00 pm. Appears the state will retry Karl Fontenot, who was released 2 years ago and subject of #netflix special. Fontenots and Wards attorneys did not respond to requests for comment. It was later upheld when the U.S. Supreme Court declined to hear the state's appeal. A state judge overturned Wards conviction in 2020, but the Oklahoma Attorney Generals Office has appealed the ruling. Tommy Ward has been in prison for 35 years and was supposed to be released today after a judge dismissed Ward's murder conviction. Donate to The Frontier to support local independent investigative journalism. Courtesy Netflix. The circumstances surrounding Ward and Fontenot's confessions were suspicious from the start, and in fact were later proved to be inconsistent with what had actually happened to Haraway: Her body was ultimately found years after she vanished, 30 miles away from where the duo said they had deposited it. Attorneys representing Tommy Ward continue to fight for his release from jail. Judge orders release or new trial for 'Innocent Man' defendant Coverage of the latest true crime stories and famous cases explained, as well as the best TV shows, movies and podcasts in the genre. Ward is a hardworking and dedicated artist who continues to make a name for himself in the entertainment industry. Wards and Fontenots convictions were featured in the John Grisham 2006 book The Innocent Man and a 2018 Netflix series of the same name, as well as the 1987 book Dreams of Ada by Robert Mayer. Subscribe for the latest music videos, performances, and more!Tommy's new album "From This Moment On" available n. Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in, A judge reversed the conviction of Thomas Ward, known to the public as Tommy Ward, in 2020, Find your bookmarks in your Independent Premium section, under my profile, Tommy Ward in the 2018 Netflix docuseries The Innocent Man'. The order is the latest in a string of decisions rebuking the convictions of Ward and Karl Fontenot for an infamous 1984 murder documented in two books and a recent Netflix documentary. Last week, a Pontotoc County District Court judge ordered Tommy Ward be released from prison. In 2020, Fontenot's co-defendant in the case, Tommy Ward, also had his conviction overturned in state court, but prosecutors have appealed that decision to the Oklahoma Supreme Court. ADVERTISEMENT In a 2017 interview with The Marshall Project, the author discussed their fates. Karl Fontenot was 20 years old in 1984, when he was arrested for the rape and murder of Donna Denice Haraway along with Tommy Ward. Tommy has been recommended for parole at least twice, but turned down by the board in Oklahoma. Courtesy. The judge found Tommy Ward didnt get a fair trial. Also Read: 'The Innocent Man': Netflix Sets December Launch for Docuseries Based on John Grisham Book. Ward was featured in the Netflix documentary and John Grisham book An Innocent Man. Ward along with Karl Fontenot were convicted of killing Denice Haraway back in the 1980s. Though no physical evidence tied them to Haraways disappearance, Fontenot and Ward initially confessed to the crime after questioning by investigators.
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