In both Ward and Fontenots cases, judges issued rulings excoriating investigators for withholding favorable evidence from defense attorneys. We promise to never spam you. John 3:16. 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. remains wrongfully imprisoned . The attorney generals office now has 20 days to respond. Fontenot was released in December 2019 at the age of 55 after a federal judge ordered he be released or retried. 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. 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. He's very disappointed that he's still in prison for a murder he didn't commit, Ward's attorney, Mark Barrett, said Tuesday. 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. 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. When you read their briefs, they dont take issue with the fact that this information was withheld from him. Fontenots and Wards attorneys did not respond to requests for comment. Fontenot, Wards co-defendant, was ordered released by a federal judge in 2019, and the state is also appealing that order. 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. 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. Donate to The Frontier to support local independent investigative journalism. Tommy Ward, 61, and Karl Fontenot, 58, were . 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! Court Rules 'Innocent Man' Defendant to Remain Imprisoned Ward's case was the focus of the Netflix documentary "The Innocent Man, " which was released in 2018. Tommy Ward. Fontenot, 57 and Tommy Ward, 61, were both twice convicted in Haraways murder. Tommy Ward has been in prison for 35 years and was supposed to be released today after a judge dismissed Ward's murder conviction. Please refer to our. Attorneys representing Tommy Ward continue to fight for his release from jail. Fontenots conviction was overturned in 2019 by a federal judge in Muskogee, and that courts ruling was upheld last year by the 10th Circuit Court of Appeals. Fontenot was released from prison about one year ago after a federal judge found he also didnt receive a fair trial. 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 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. 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. An autopsy showed evidence that she had been shot and no sign that she had been stabbed, per The AP. 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. Freed man in 'Dreams of Ada' case slams state appeal to Supreme Court Courtesy Netflix. 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.. Among Fontenots legal team is Donald B. VerrilliJr., the U.S. solicitor general from 2011 to 2016. 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. Oklahoma Attorney General's Office Appeals Release Of Tommy Ward "They said I had a choice to write it or tape it. Courtesy. 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. Critically acclaimed singer, musician, and entertainer. 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. We promise to never spam you. You can opt-out at any time. So thats the reason I gave them an untrue statement so they would leave me alone.. An Oklahoma judge ruled that the case rested on circumstantial evidence. Heres a link to the decision, Mark Barrett & The Center on Wrongful Convictions tweeted, with the legal documents confirming the move attached. In addition to his impressive performances, Ward has a true passion for music and the arts. Attorneys representing Tommy Ward continue to fight for his release from jail. 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. Attorneys For Tommy Ward 'The Innocent Man' Continue Fight For His Release From Jail. 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. More to come. 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.. 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. They cant. 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. SIGN UP FOR OUR FREE DAILY NEWSLETTER, FIRST TAKE, 'The Innocent Man': Netflix Sets December Launch for Docuseries Based on John Grisham Book. Fontenot is currently awaiting the results of a federal appeal. Please refer to our. 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. The newlywed college student worked as a clerk there at night. (Oklahoma Department of Corrections via AP), Connect with the definitive source for global and local news. 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. Oklahoma seeks to uphold the murder conviction of Karl Fontenot in the murder of Donna Denice Haraway. U.S. Supreme Court declines to hear 'Innocent Man' case What Happened To Tommy Ward And Karl Fontenot? 'The Innocent Man 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. She was 24. The Oklahoma attorney generals office, which appealed Inges order, declined to comment on Thursdays ruling. In a motion and brief filed Monday on behalf of Tommy Ward, one of two men convicted of Haraway's murder in Ada and who was featured in the John Grisham book the Innocent Man and 2018 Netflix. The judge found Tommy Ward didnt get a fair trial. Attorneys For Tommy Ward 'The Innocent Man' Continue Fight For His Position: WR Height: 6-0 Weight: 190 College: Rutgers Hometown: Canton, PA High School: Canton HS Subscribe and Follow on Facebook and YouTube for the latest music. His previous EPs "Forget Me Not" and "Merry Christmas" both reached the Top 10 on iTunes jazz charts on the first day of their release. 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! Though no physical evidence tied them to Haraways disappearance, Fontenot and Ward initially confessed to the crime after questioning by investigators. 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. About Tommy Ward Judge orders release or new trial for 'Innocent Man' defendant - BART TORRES, 99.7FM The Highway Vibe. Attorneys For Tommy Ward 'The Innocent Man' Continue Fight For His Release From Jail. Oklahoma court reinstates 'Innocent Man' murder conviction Tommy Ward- The Innocent Man's Legal Team's Page | Ada OK - Facebook Fight for his release from jail crime Netflix Series was released back in 2018, and temporary. attempted to take on Fontenot's case in 2013, a 2017 interview with The Marshall Project. Fontenots lawyers at first waived the right to respond to the state, but the Supreme Court then requested a response. The Official YouTube Channel of Tommy Ward. Court Extends Temporary Stay 1 Day Before Tommy Ward's Expected Release 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. Judge vacates sentence; Tommy Ward to be set free Judge orders 'Innocent Man' defendant freed - Enidnews.com At 17, he and his band were one of the youngest opening acts in Las Vegas history, completing 90 shows for Billboard #1 artist and Las Vegas headliner of the year, Frankie Moreno. 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'. Haraway was working as a clerk in a convenience store when she went missing in Ada in 1984. 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. Ward was convicted in the case in 1989 along with a co-defendant named Karl Fontenot. Justices may determine before the courts term ends this summer whether to review the case. Tommy has been recommended for parole at least twice, but turned down by the board in Oklahoma. Tommy Ward: The Innocent Man (@WardInnocentMan) / Twitter Circuit Court of Appeals upheld the judges ruling last year, saying that, Almost no evidence connected him to the crime other than his own videotaped confession, a confession that rang false in almost every particular., The appeals court said Fontenot has brought forth new evidence that is sufficient to unlock the actual innocence gateway and to allow his substantive claims to be heard on the merits. 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. Which they did after I taped the statement," Fontenot said almost immediately after his interrogation, as described in Grisham's book. 37 years since Ada murder, Ward still in custody - KTEN 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. 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. I agree with TheWrap's Terms of Service and Privacy Policy and provide my consent to receive marketing communications from them. Additional reporting by The Associated Press. Want to support our mission to hold powerful people accountable, give a voice to the voiceless, and shine a light on darkness in Oklahoma? The attorney generals office now has 20 days to respond. . Sign up forOxygen Insiderfor all the best true crime content. Check out never-before-seen content, free digital evidence kits, and much more! As a nonprofit news organization,The Frontieris funded by tax-deductible donations made by people who support quality journalism. Ward and Fontenot were both granted a retrial a few years later, and again found guilty of Haraway's death. The state also claims witnesses saw men matching Ward and Fontenots descriptions in the convenience store where Haraway worked before she disappeared. The victim, Donna Denice Haraway, disappeared from the McAnally's convenience store in Ada on April 28, 1984. Oklahoma court reinstates murder conviction of Tommy Ward Get all your true crime news from Oxygen. Wr Hines Ward - NFL.com /a > attorneys representing Tommy Ward was one of two serving! We cant do it without your support. 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. 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. 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. She said police and prosecutors withheld evidence that would have assisted Wards defense. tommy ward released 2022 Ward is a hardworking and dedicated artist who continues to make a name for himself in the entertainment industry. 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. 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. Keep up-to-date with everything that happens in your world. All rights reserved. Since the age of 16, Ward has had the opportunity to work alongside industry veterans and legends. Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Tommy Ward is still behind bars waiting for an appeal. 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! This is new info, and were trying to figure what this means right now. That evidence includes previously undisclosed suspects and whether police provided Ward with information about the victim's blouse, which prosecutors said he had described. YOU'VE REACHED YOUR MONTHLY ARTICLE LIMIT. Attorneys For Tommy Ward 'The Innocent Man' Continue Fight For His sharing the stories, pictures and loves of Oklahomans across our great state. Ada store clerk Denice Haraway was abducted and killed on April 28, 1984. . Also Read: 'The Innocent Man': Netflix Sets December Launch for Docuseries Based on John Grisham Book. Appears the state will retry Karl Fontenot, who was released 2 years ago and subject of #netflix special. 19 talking about this. In a 2017 interview with The Marshall Project, the author discussed their fates. Fontenot. 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. Forget Me Not EP available now on all major platforms. Oct 28, 2022. Ward's attorney, Mark Barrett, will also be filing an appeal for exoneration. It was based on the 2006 true-crime book The Innocent Man: Murder and Injustice in a Small Town by John Grisham. 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. Its clear as day.. 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. "Tommy is the epitome of great music. So where are the two men now, more than 30 years later? The judge said newly discovered evidence about Fontenot's alibi and other suspects in the murder provided "solid proof" of his probable innocence. Wards attorneys said its far too late for Ward to receive a fair trial. 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.. [Warning: Spoilers for "The Innocent Man" ahead!]. These dream confessions 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. In 2020, District Judge Paula Inge vacated his conviction, dismissed the charges against him, and ordered him set free. 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. Attorneys in Ada 'Innocent Man' murder case 'blown away' by content of Judge vacates Tommy Ward's sentences in 'The Innocent Man' case However, she would never be seen alive again. The organization has not offered an update on the status of their efforts. Ward has also had a widely celebrated opening act run for comedy legend Louie Anderson during his tenure at the Plaza Hotel. Haraways body was located after the convictions. Fontenot was released from prison after a federal judge in Oklahoma ruled in 2019 that the state committed numerous constitutional violations. PublishedDecember 26, 2020 at 10:50 AM CST, KGOU | Tommy Ward was scheduled to be released in December 2020, but . Breaking news: Judge orders Tommy released and vacates his conviction. John Grisham continues to correspond with both men. It was later upheld when the U.S. Supreme Court declined to hear the state's appeal. Share 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. Tuesday 30 August 2022 23:08 Tommy Ward in the 2018 Netflix docuseries 'The Innocent Man' (Netflix) A prisoner featured in the Netflix documentary series The Innocent Man has had his murder. Ward is currently still in prison while the appeals process continues. The. Fontenot was released from prison after a federal judge in Oklahoma ruled in 2019 that the state committed numerous constitutional violations. 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 attorneys claim a trove of hundreds of new documents uncovered in a police storage room back up Fontenots claims of innocence. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and filming for Halloween Ends to release on October 14, 2022 with! Tommy Ward, Convicted Murderer and Subject of Netflix's 'The - TheWrap 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 . 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. She decided to vacate Wards conviction and life sentence, and ordered his release. More damningly, Haraway had not been been stabbed as the young men had described. have asked the court of appeals . Tommy's legal team dedicated to freeing Tommy Ward from prison for a crime he did not commit.. Oklahomas Court of Criminal Appeals, however, argued that the district court had abused its discretion in that instance. Coverage of the latest true crime stories and famous cases explained, as well as the best TV shows, movies and podcasts in the genre. But one day before Ward's release, a temporary stay,. Fontenot is free on bond as the appeals process plays out. Tuesday, they filed a brief with the Oklahoma Court of Criminal Appeals. Fontenots conviction was overturned in 2019, and he was freed pending an appeal by the state. Subscribe for the latest music videos, performances, and more!Tommy's new album "From This Moment On" available n. Ward remains in prison as the Oklahoma Court of Criminal Appeals weighs his case. Link your TV provider to stream full episodes and live TV. This is new info, and were trying to figure what this means right now. Both Ward and Fontenot would go on to recant their confessions. Fontenot and Thomas Ward were convicted of killing Ada convenience store clerk Donna Denice Haraway in 1984. 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. I didnt even know what the word 'statement' or 'confessing' meant 'til they told me I confessed to it. 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. Attorneys representing Tommy Ward continue to fight for his release from jail. At only 25 years old, he has already made a name for himself in the entertainment industry, and his videos on social media have racked up millions of views.
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