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This contradicted the confessions, which stated that Haraway had been stabbed to death. We promise to never spam you. Barrett noted that the appeals court ordered the lower court to consider an additional claim regarding new evidence discovered in 2019. 2023 www.oklahoman.com. Ward and co-defendant Karl Fontenot's initial convictions and death sentences for Harways death were overturned, but both were again convicted on retrial with Fontenot again receiving a death sentence and Ward being sentenced to life in prison. Share Justices should reject the states request to review the case because the evidence in this case qualifies as new evidence of actual innocence under any definition of new evidence, Fontenots lawyers argued. The Official YouTube Channel of Tommy Ward. Fontenot was released in December 2019 at the age of 55 after a federal judge ordered he be released or retried. 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.. It also accounts the false convictions of Ward and Karl Fontenot for themurder of Denice Haraway and the false conviction of Greg Wilhoit for the rape and murder of his estranged wife. An Oklahoma judge ruled that the case rested on circumstantial evidence. 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. Last week, a Pontotoc County District Court judge ordered Tommy Ward be released from prison. Get an all-access pass to never-before-seen content, free digital evidence kits, and much more! Breaking news: Judge orders Tommy released and vacates his conviction. The two insisted they were innocent, but still ended up convicted of Haraway's murder. Evidence presented to exonerate Fontenot had been available since Fontenots trials in the 1980s, the state said, arguing that the high court should accept the caseto clarify that new evidence means newly discovered or newly available evidence as opposed to newly presented evidence. 19 talking about this. OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) The Oklahoma Court of Criminal Appeals has reinstated the murder conviction and life sentence of a man featured in the book and television series The Innocent Man.. Create your free profile and get access to exclusive content. YOU'VE REACHED YOUR MONTHLY ARTICLE LIMIT. Tommy Ward was scheduled to be released in December 2020, but . Fontenots and Wards attorneys did not respond to requests for comment. 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.. Tommy has been recommended for parole at least twice, but turned down by the board in Oklahoma. sharing the stories, pictures and loves of Oklahomans across our great state. She doesnt believe he could be given a fair trial after more than 30 years. More to come. Tommy Ward has been in prison for 35 years and was supposed to be released today after a judge dismissed Ward's murder conviction. News9.com is proud to provide Oklahomans with timely and relevant news and information, 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. Critically acclaimed singer, musician, and entertainer. The state of Oklahoma engaged in an egregious, decades-long pattern of prosecutorial misconduct to ensure that the facts of Karl Fontenots innocence never came to light, Fontenots legal team told the court. At time of writing, he is still serving his life sentence without the possibility of parole, and is now 54 years old. Fontenots attorneys have argued that many of the inaccurate details of his confession were supplied by detectives from the Ada Police Department and the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigations. Additional reporting by The Associated Press. The ruling came down Friday from District Judge Paula Inge in Pontotoc County, who concluded in post-conviction finding that the case rested on circumstantial evidence in the form of conflicted witness statements and Wards inculpatory statements he gave to police. Oct 28, 2022. A federal judge in Muskogee overturned Fontenot's conviction in late 2019. Ward is a hardworking and dedicated artist who continues to make a name for himself in the entertainment industry. You can opt-out at any time. (Oklahoma Department of Corrections via AP), Connect with the definitive source for global and local news. . News 9 Team Holds Severe Weather Expo At Penn Square Mall, Sauced On The Paseo Re-Opens 2 Years After Fire, Read Across America Celebration Held At Belle Isle Library, 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. Newson6.com is proud to provide Oklahomans with timely and relevant news and information, The state court of criminal appeals voted unanimously to reinstate Tommy Ward's murder conviction. In her 2020 ruling vacating Wards conviction, Judge Inge pointed to what she said were issues with the evidence in the case, and deemed that due to the passage of time, Ward would not be able to receive a fair trial. The Oklahoma attorney general is appealing the ruling. 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 parole. She was 24. Forget Me Not EP available now on all major platforms. She decided to vacate Wards conviction and life sentence, and ordered his release. Ward is currently still in prison while the appeals process continues. Justices may determine before the courts term ends this summer whether to review the case. 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.. Wr Hines Ward - NFL.com /a > attorneys representing Tommy Ward was one of two serving! John Grisham continues to correspond with both men. Ward's newly released EP "From This Moment On," (2022) produced by LeCoq Records, showcases his stunning vocal abilities . After the details of both mens confessions were proven untrue Haraways body was discovered years later in a different location and had been shot to death not stabbed as the pair had said a state appeals court ordered new trials. The Oklahoma attorney generals office, which appealed Inges order, declined to comment on Thursdays ruling. In addition to his impressive performances, Ward has a true passion for music and the arts. An autopsy showed evidence that she had been shot and no sign that she had been stabbed, per The AP. Since the age of 16, Ward has had the opportunity to work alongside industry veterans and legends. The Oklahoma Innocence Project, an organization that helps to exonerate those wrongfully convicted, attempted to take on Fontenot's case in 2013, but itsappeals were denied in 2015. Tuesday, they filed a brief with the Oklahoma Court of Criminal Appeals. Fontenot is currently awaiting the results of a federal appeal. 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. Donate to The Frontier to support local independent investigative journalism. Attorneys For Tommy Ward 'The Innocent Man' Continue Fight For His Release From Jail. The Innocent Man, released by Netflix in 2018, looked at two murder cases having taken place in Ada in the 1980s, including the one which resulted in Wards conviction. A spokeswoman for Attorney General John OConnor declined to comment on the pending cases. The most recent exculpatory disclosure came in 2019, 31 years after Fontenots conviction.. Tommy Ward to be set free . Check out never-before-seen content, free digital evidence kits, and much more! Link your TV provider to stream full episodes and live TV. Share. 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. 2022 Reader's Choice Winners . Heres a link to the decision https://t.co/21UQag7LEi, Tommy Ward: The Innocent Man (@WardInnocentMan) December 19, 2020. 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. OK man arrested for. Sign up with your email address to receive news and updates. 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. 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. He is currently serving time at the Dick Conner Correctional Center in Hominy in Oklahoma. Its clear as day.. 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 Man'. 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. Ward was featured in the Netflix. PublishedDecember 26, 2020 at 10:50 AM CST, KGOU | It was later upheld when the U.S. Supreme Court declined to hear the state's appeal. Tommy Ward. You can opt-out at any time. 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. Ward remained in prison while the state appealed the ruling, The Associated Press reported at the time. Fontenot, Wards co-defendant, was ordered released by a federal judge in 2019, and the state is also appealing that order. Keep up-to-date with everything that happens in your world. The attorney generals office now has 20 days to respond. Oxygen Insider is your all-access pass to never-before-seen content, free digital evidence kits, and much more! 7726 5241 Dial by your location +1 346 248 7799 US Are allowed finish! The Court of Criminal Appeals ordered Tommy Ward, 60, to remain imprisoned while the state appeals the lower courts ruling that he be released. Courtesy Netflix. The convictions were based almost entirely on accounts they said they retrieved from dreams. Among Fontenots legal team is Donald B. VerrilliJr., the U.S. solicitor general from 2011 to 2016. attempted to take on Fontenot's case in 2013, a 2017 interview with The Marshall Project. featured in the book and television series, Reports: 3 children dead, 2 wounded in attack at Texas home, Kellyanne Conway, George Conway To Divorce After Decadeslong Marriage: Report, School punished teen girl for working out in sports bra in 100-degree Texas heat, ACLU says, U.S. court won't require FAA to make airplane seat size, spacing rules, 'Extremely dangerous': Spike in illegal crossings at Canada-Vermont border has feds sounding alarm. I agree with TheWrap's Terms of Service and Privacy Policy and provide my consent to receive marketing communications from them. 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. Lawyers for a man whose murder conviction in Oklahoma was overturned after he served more than three decades in prison urged the U.S. Supreme Court this week not to grant the states request to review the case. Ward has also had a widely celebrated opening act run for comedy legend Louie Anderson during his tenure at the Plaza Hotel. 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 on 6 delivered right to your inbox! - BART TORRES, 99.7FM The Highway Vibe. Karl Fontenot, Tommy Ward. Please refer to our. He's very disappointed that he's still in prison for a murder he didn't commit, Ward's attorney, Mark Barrett, said Tuesday. Fontenots lawyers at first waived the right to respond to the state, but the Supreme Court then requested a response. 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. Tommy Ward was one of two men serving a life sentence for the 1984 murder of Denice Haraway in Ada. All rights reserved. Both have excellent teams of lawyers who continue to work for their release." The conclusion of "The Innocent Man" docu-series notes that Ward's post-conviction filing has been opposed by the state, but that a judge will review the case in 2019. The Court of Criminal Appeals ruled Thursday, Jan. 7, 2021 that 60-year-old Tommy Ward remain imprisoned while the state appeals the lower court's ruling. Subscribe for the latest music videos, performances, and more!Tommy's new album "From This Moment On" available n. The organization has not offered an update on the status of their efforts. a man whose murder conviction in Oklahoma was overturned, Fontenot and Thomas Ward were convicted of killing Ada convenience store clerk Donna Denice Haraway in 1984, which became a Netflix documentary series, Oklahoma Army veteran gets probation for role in Jan. 6 US Capitol riot, Human remains found, Oklahoma white supremacist leader might be connected, Your California Privacy Rights / Privacy Policy. Timmy Ward gamelogs for the 2022 season. 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. A state judge overturned Wards conviction in 2020, but the Oklahoma Attorney Generals Office has appealed the ruling. Fontenot, now 57,was tried twice and given the death penalty both times, though a retrial error led to a new sentence of life without parole. In a 2017 interview with The Marshall Project, the author discussed their fates. This is new info, and were trying to figure what this means right now. "Everything about their confession has been proven wrong by the discovery of the body," attorney Janet Davis noted in the documentary. Which they did after I taped the statement," Fontenot said almost immediately after his interrogation, as described in Grisham's book. The attorneys claim a trove of hundreds of new documents uncovered in a police storage room back up Fontenots claims of innocence. Ward and Fontenot were sentenced to death on January 21, 1985 after being found guilty of murdering Haraway. Advertisement On Friday, a judge vacated Ward's convictions and sentences, dismissed the charges and . Tommy Ward, 61, and Karl Fontenot, 58, were . Courtesy. By, 'Deeply tainted': Oklahoma conservatives call for moratorium, abolition of the death penalty, Sheriff, jail health care provider seek public money to increase staff after two women died, AG Drummond orders independent counsel to review Glossip death penalty case, Oklahoma Attorney General requests more time in between executions. 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. More:Oklahoma Army veteran gets probation for role in Jan. 6 US Capitol riot. Also Read: 'The Innocent Man': Netflix Sets December Launch for Docuseries Based on John Grisham Book. 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. I received Christmas cards last week from both Tommy Ward and Karl Fontenot, so we keep in touch," Grisham said. info@tommywardmusic.com | Privacy Policy | Terms of Use. 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. Though no physical evidence tied them to Haraways disappearance, Fontenot and Ward initially confessed to the crime after questioning by investigators. The judge said newly discovered evidence about Fontenots alibi and other suspects in the murder provided solid proof of his probable innocence. The judge found Tommy Ward didnt get a fair trial. Wards attorneys said its far too late for Ward to receive a fair trial. Fontenots death sentence was later reduced to life before his conviction was reversed by a federal appeals court. I didnt even know what the word 'statement' or 'confessing' meant 'til they told me I confessed to it. Ward is currently still in prison while the appeals process continues. The courts exhaustively reviewed voluminous amounts of withheld exculpatory evidence and correctly concluded that this is the rare case in which a habeas petitioner has credibly demonstrated actual innocence, the lawyers said. 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. Subscribe for the latest music videos, performances, and more!Tommy's new album "From This Moment On" available n. He often uses his platform to raise awareness for various charitable causes and uses his talents to give back to his community. Coverage of the latest true crime stories and famous cases explained, as well as the best TV shows, movies and podcasts in the genre. Appears the state will retry Karl Fontenot, who was released 2 years ago and subject of #netflix special. 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 response filed by Fontenots lawyers this week said the vast majority of evidence that the state claims was available in the 1980s was actually being suppressed by the state. 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. 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. But the men quickly recanted and have claimed for decades that police coerced them to say they killed Haraway. Tuesday, they filed a brief with the Oklahoma Court of Criminal . As a nonprofit news organization,The Frontieris funded by tax-deductible donations made by people who support quality journalism. The appeals court did task the district court with handling a remaining claim from Wards team, according to which newly discovered evidence requires his conviction to be vacated. Tommy Ward, who was convicted twice for the 1984 kidnapping and murder of Ada convenience store clerk Donna "Denise" Haraway, had his conviction and life sentence overturned and was ordered to. So thats the reason I gave them an untrue statement so they would leave me alone.. The state Attorney Generals office appealed the order to overturn Fontenots conviction in federal court and has now announced its intent to appeal the order to release Ward. He reminds me of working with Frank Sinatra in some strange way." 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. Ward's attorney, Mark Barrett, will also be filing an appeal for exoneration. The judge also called the evidence against Ward circumstantial and said nearly all of the details in his confession were inaccurate. 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. Back in December a Ponotoc County judge overturned Wards conviction saying prosecutors withheld evidence in the case. The. More to come. 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. Start your Independent Premium subscription today. Oklahoma Attorney General's Office Appeals Release Of Tommy Ward. The investigators seem to have taken on the role of prosecutor, judge and jury, determining that the only relevant evidence was evidence that fit their theory of the case.. The Pontotoc County District Attorneys office relied solely on investigators to provide it with the evidence needed to prosecute the case without questioning whether the investigators had turned over all exculpatory and/or impeachment evidence, Judge Paula Inge wrote in her December order. The young woman's disappearance sparked decades of controversy as police scrambled to solve the crime, leading to the convictions of two men: Tommy Ward and Karl Fontenot. 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. That evidence includes previously undisclosed suspects and whether police provided Ward with information about the victim's blouse, which prosecutors said he had described. Attorneys representing Tommy Ward continue to fight for his release from jail. Attorneys representing Tommy Ward continue to fight for his release from jail. 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! 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. Ward remains in prison as the Oklahoma Court of Criminal Appeals weighs his case. Last week, a Pontotoc County District Court judge ordered Tommy Ward be released from prison. Wards attorneys said its far too late for Ward to receive a fair trial. She said police and prosecutors withheld evidence that would have assisted Wards defense. We are pressing forward exploring the possibility of going to federal court with additional appeals, Barrett said. The attorney generals office now has 20 days to respond. They cant. Breaking news: Judge orders Tommy released and vacates his conviction. The 10th U.S. 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. Fontenot's case was picked up by The Innocence Project in 2011, but there's . Local prosecutors again secured their convictions, based largely on their confessions. 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. Ward was convicted alongside Karl Fontenot for murdering Donna Harraway in Ada. Haraways body was located after the convictions. We promise to never spam you. ADVERTISEMENT Attorneys For Tommy Ward 'The Innocent Man' Continue Fight For His Release From Jail. - QUINCY JONES, 27 time GRAMMY-award-winning producer "A fine singer A lovely, silky voice." Tuesday, they filed a brief with the Oklahoma Court of Criminal Appeals. 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. Fontenot was sentenced to death again but Ward was sentenced to life in prison, according to The Oklahoman. Ada store clerk Denice Haraway was abducted and killed on April 28, 1984. . and his videos on social media have racked up millions of views. 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. Get all your true crime news from Oxygen. "Tommy is the epitome of great music. Shot by Shot: Tracking Oklahoma police shootings in 2023, Listen Frontier: Sen. James Lankford speaks with The Frontier about abortion, immigration and more, Frontier content sharing and collaboration terms.