John 3:16. "Everything about their confession has been proven wrong by the discovery of the body," attorney Janet Davis noted in the documentary. 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. 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. Create a free profile to get unlimited access to exclusive videos, breaking news, sweepstakes, and more! Tommy has been recommended for parole at least twice, but turned down by the board in Oklahoma. At time of writing, he is still serving his life sentence without the possibility of parole, and is now 54 years old. However, she would never be seen alive again. The newlywed college student worked as a clerk there at night. 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. Though no physical evidence tied them to Haraways disappearance, Fontenot and Ward initially confessed to the crime after questioning by investigators. You can opt-out at any time. Since the age of 16, Ward has had the opportunity to work alongside industry veterans and legends. 2022 Reader's Choice Winners . The convictions were based almost entirely on accounts they said they retrieved from dreams. 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 attorneys claim a trove of hundreds of new documents uncovered in a police storage room back up Fontenots claims of innocence. 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.. 19 talking about this. More:Oklahoma Army veteran gets probation for role in Jan. 6 US Capitol riot. Ward's accurate description of the blouse was the only information that he gave that was correct in his confession, Barrett said. . Both are model prisoners. 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. He is currently serving time at the Dick Conner Correctional Center in Hominy in Oklahoma. 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. Oklahoma seeks to uphold the murder conviction of Karl Fontenot in the murder of Donna Denice Haraway. 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. I agree with TheWrap's Terms of Service and Privacy Policy and provide my consent to receive marketing communications from them. Tommy Ward is a critically acclaimed singer and entertainer from Las Vegas who has a deep love and appreciation for legendary musicians and crooners. YOU'VE REACHED YOUR MONTHLY ARTICLE LIMIT. He is now 58 years old and says he will not admit guilt even if it means improving his chances at parole. 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. Fontenot and Thomas Ward were convicted of killing Ada convenience store clerk Donna Denice Haraway in 1984. 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! More damningly, Haraway had not been been stabbed as the young men had described. She decided to vacate Wards conviction and life sentence, and ordered his release. 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. 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. Donate to The Frontier to support local independent investigative journalism. As a nonprofit news organization,The Frontieris funded by tax-deductible donations made by people who support quality journalism. Tuesday, they filed a brief with the Oklahoma Court of Criminal . Back in December a Ponotoc County judge overturned Wards conviction saying prosecutors withheld evidence in the case. Fontenot is currently awaiting the results of a federal appeal. 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. 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.. 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. Fontenot was released in December 2019 at the age of 55 after a federal judge ordered he be released or retried. More to come. "They said I had a choice to write it or tape it. 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. Subscribe for the latest music videos, performances, and more!Tommy's new album "From This Moment On" available n. Subscribe and Follow on Facebook and YouTube for the latest music. When you read their briefs, they dont take issue with the fact that this information was withheld from him. Ward was convicted in the case in 1989 along with a co-defendant named Karl Fontenot. Haraway was working as a clerk in a convenience store when she went missing in Ada in 1984. His conviction is the subject of the Netflix docu-series "The . Attorneys representing Tommy Ward continue to fight for his release from jail. Advertisement On Friday, a judge vacated Ward's convictions and sentences, dismissed the charges and . 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. 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. Both Ward and . The Oklahoma attorney generals office, which appealed Inges order, declined to comment on Thursdays ruling. Please refer to our. Instead, she had died from a gunshot wound. To the extent that this could be the next Sinatra of our time." 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. 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. Heres a link to the decision, Mark Barrett & The Center on Wrongful Convictions tweeted, with the legal documents confirming the move attached. 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. Haraways body was located after the convictions. The Official YouTube Channel of Tommy Ward. Wards attorneys said its far too late for Ward to receive a fair trial. 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. 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. The Attorney Generals office claims in its filing that Fontenot and Ward attempted to minimize their involvement in Haraways death during their confessions by saying the primary aggressor was another man who was never charged with the crime. In a 2017 interview with The Marshall Project, the author discussed their fates. Karl Fontenot, Tommy Ward. 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.. Last week, a Pontotoc County District Court judge ordered Tommy Ward be released from prison. We promise to never spam you. 7726 5241 Dial by your location +1 346 248 7799 US Are allowed finish! Tuesday, they filed a brief with the Oklahoma Court of Criminal Appeals. Wards attorneys said its far too late for Ward to receive a fair trial. The judge also called the evidence against Ward circumstantial and said nearly all of the details in his confession were inaccurate. This is new info, and were trying to figure what this means right now. 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. 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. 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. Ward remains in prison as the Oklahoma Court of Criminal Appeals weighs his case. Tommy has been recommended for parole at least twice, but turned down by the board in Oklahoma. remains wrongfully imprisoned . The judge said newly discovered evidence about Fontenots alibi and other suspects in the murder provided solid proof of his probable innocence. Local prosecutors again secured their convictions, based largely on their confessions. Fontenot has been released pending a decision from the United States 10th Circuit Court of Appeals. Last week, a Pontotoc County District Court judge ordered Tommy Ward be released from prison. PublishedDecember 26, 2020 at 10:50 AM CST, KGOU | - STEVE WYNN, founder Wynn Resorts "I just saw Tommy in Las Vegas at a corporate event and I was BLOWN AWAY. have asked the court of appeals . Position: WR Height: 6-0 Weight: 190 College: Rutgers Hometown: Canton, PA High School: Canton HS Tuesday, they filed a brief with the Oklahoma Court of Criminal Appeals. Ward remained in prison while the state appealed the ruling, The Associated Press reported at the time. Courtesy Netflix. 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. info@tommywardmusic.com | Privacy Policy | Terms of Use. Tommy Ward was scheduled to be released in December 2020, but . Ward's case was the focus of the Netflix documentary "The Innocent Man, " which was released in 2018. The Oklahoma attorney general is appealing the ruling. Forget Me Not EP available now on all major platforms. The most recent exculpatory disclosure came in 2019, 31 years after Fontenots conviction.. Fontenot was released from prison after a federal judge in Oklahoma ruled in 2019 that the state committed numerous constitutional violations. A spokeswoman for Attorney General John OConnor declined to comment on the pending cases. Link your TV provider to stream full episodes and live TV. We cant do it without your support. 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. The judge found Tommy Ward didnt get a fair trial. Ward's attorney, Mark Barrett, will also be filing an appeal for exoneration. 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. 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. 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. But now, Wards release has been blocked by the state Attorney Generals Office. Ward has also had a widely celebrated opening act run for comedy legend Louie Anderson during his tenure at the Plaza Hotel. 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 . Both Ward and Fontenot would go on to recant their confessions. 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. 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. and his videos on social media have racked up millions of views. ADVERTISEMENT 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. 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. Attorneys For Tommy Ward 'The Innocent Man' Continue Fight For His Release From Jail. Oklahoma seeks to uphold the murder conviction of Karl Fontenot in the murder of Donna "Denice" Haraway. Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? 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. Tuesday, they filed a brief with the Oklahoma Court of Criminal Appeals. The court overturned a lower court decision that said because prosecutors and police withheld evidence that could exonerate Tommy Ward, 61, of the 1984 murder of Donna Denice Haraway in Ada. Newson6.com is proud to provide Oklahomans with timely and relevant news and information, "They have now been in prison for 31 years, serving hard time for a murder committed by someone else. Sign up with your email address to receive news and updates. Tommy Ward. 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. You can opt-out at any time. Fontenot, 57 and Tommy Ward, 61, were both twice convicted in Haraways murder. Start your Independent Premium subscription today. 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. 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 is free on bond as the appeals process plays out. Ward is the subject of a Netflix docuseries and a book by John Grisham. Sign up forOxygen Insiderfor all the best true crime content. SIGN UP FOR OUR FREE DAILY NEWSLETTER, FIRST TAKE, 'The Innocent Man': Netflix Sets December Launch for Docuseries Based on John Grisham Book. Justices may determine before the courts term ends this summer whether to review the case. Attorneys representing Tommy Ward continue to fight for his release from jail. 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. Ward is currently still in prison while the appeals process continues. He is 54 years old and is being held at the at the North Fork Correctional Center in Sayre in Oklahoma. [Warning: Spoilers for "The Innocent Man" ahead!]. Get an all-access pass to never-before-seen content, free digital evidence kits, and much more! 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. Heres a link to the decision https://t.co/21UQag7LEi, Tommy Ward: The Innocent Man (@WardInnocentMan) December 19, 2020. Tommy Ward was one of two men serving a life sentence for the 1984 murder of Denice Haraway in Ada. 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. An autopsy showed evidence that she had been shot and no sign that she had been stabbed, per The AP. Ward's newly released EP "From This Moment On," (2022) produced by LeCoq Records, showcases his stunning vocal abilities . More to come. Oklahoma seeks to uphold the murder conviction of Karl Fontenot in the murder of Donna Denice Haraway. Subscribe for the latest music videos, performances, and more!Tommy's new album "From This Moment On" available n. Fight for his release from jail crime Netflix Series was released back in 2018, and temporary. It was later upheld when the U.S. Supreme Court declined to hear the state's appeal. Back in December a Ponotoc County judge overturned Wards conviction saying prosecutors withheld evidence in the case. But one day before Ward's release, a temporary stay,. Its clear as day.. He reminds me of working with Frank Sinatra in some strange way." Oxygen Insider is your all-access pass to never-before-seen content, free digital evidence kits, and much more! Wr Hines Ward - NFL.com /a > attorneys representing Tommy Ward was one of two serving! 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.. - QUINCY JONES, 27 time GRAMMY-award-winning producer "A fine singer A lovely, silky voice." We promise to never spam you. - BART TORRES, 99.7FM The Highway Vibe. Among Fontenots legal team is Donald B. VerrilliJr., the U.S. solicitor general from 2011 to 2016. Fontenot has been released pending a decision from the United States 10th Circuit Court of Appeals. 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. The Official YouTube Channel of Tommy Ward. The state court of criminal appeals voted unanimously to reinstate Tommy Ward's murder conviction. Attorneys representing Tommy Ward continue to fight for his release from jail. 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'. 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'. 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. She was 24. Attorneys For Tommy Ward 'The Innocent Man' Continue Fight For His Release From Jail. 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. OK man arrested for. 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. Fontenot was sentenced to death again but Ward was sentenced to life in prison, according to The Oklahoman. 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. 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. 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. This is new info, and were trying to figure what this means right now. Fontenots death sentence was later reduced to life before his conviction was reversed by a federal appeals court. The attorney generals office now has 20 days to respond. 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. He often uses his platform to raise awareness for various charitable causes and uses his talents to give back to his community. 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. 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. 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. 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.
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