You can opt-out at any time. "They said I had a choice to write it or tape it. But one day before Ward's release, a temporary stay,. She was 24. Tuesday, they filed a brief with the Oklahoma Court of Criminal Appeals. - STEVE WYNN, founder Wynn Resorts "I just saw Tommy in Las Vegas at a corporate event and I was BLOWN AWAY. 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. 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. Appears the state will retry Karl Fontenot, who was released 2 years ago and subject of #netflix special. Ward's newly released EP "From This Moment On," (2022) produced by LeCoq Records, showcases his stunning vocal abilities . 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 Karl Fontenot: 5 Fast Facts You Need to Know | Heavy.com The Innocent Man - Tommy Ward and Karl Fontenot now - Digital Spy 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 remains in prison as the Oklahoma Court of Criminal Appeals weighs his case. In 2020, District Judge Paula Inge vacated his conviction, dismissed the charges against him, and ordered him set free. Fontenot was released from prison after a federal judge in Oklahoma ruled in 2019 that the state committed numerous constitutional violations. 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. Ward has also had a widely celebrated opening act run for comedy legend Louie Anderson during his tenure at the Plaza Hotel. 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. Advertisement On Friday, a judge vacated Ward's convictions and sentences, dismissed the charges and . 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. 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. Ward's accurate description of the blouse was the only information that he gave that was correct in his confession, Barrett said. 2022 Reader's Choice Winners . An autopsy showed evidence that she had been shot and no sign that she had been stabbed, per The AP. The. 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. Tommy Ward- The Innocent Man's Legal Team's Page | Ada OK - Facebook Tommy Ward has been in prison 35 years for a murder he swears he did not commit. So thats the reason I gave them an untrue statement so they would leave me alone.. 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 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. Create your free profile and get access to exclusive content. Fight for his release from jail crime Netflix Series was released back in 2018, and temporary. Oxygen Insider is your all-access pass to never-before-seen content, free digital evidence kits, and much more! 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. Fontenot is currently awaiting the results of a federal appeal. Tommy Ward, Convicted Murderer and Subject of Netflix's 'The - TheWrap "Everything about their confession has been proven wrong by the discovery of the body," attorney Janet Davis noted in the documentary. Both Ward and Fontenot would go on to recant their confessions. In a 2017 interview with The Marshall Project, the author discussed their fates. 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. Oct 28, 2022. 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'. Tommy Ward - YouTube Fontenot and Thomas Ward were convicted of killing Ada convenience store clerk Donna Denice Haraway in 1984. Haraways body was located after the convictions. He often uses his platform to raise awareness for various charitable causes and uses his talents to give back to his community. Oklahoma Attorney General's Office Appeals Release Of Tommy Ward. So where are the two men now, more than 30 years later? Get an all-access pass to never-before-seen content, free digital evidence kits, and much more! 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. Court Extends Temporary Stay 1 Day Before Tommy Ward's Expected Release The most recent exculpatory disclosure came in 2019, 31 years after Fontenots conviction.. The Official YouTube Channel of Tommy Ward. But the men quickly recanted and have claimed for decades that police coerced them to say they killed Haraway. Tommy Ward is a critically acclaimed singer and entertainer from Las Vegas who has a deep love and appreciation for legendary musicians and crooners. As a nonprofit news organization,The Frontieris funded by tax-deductible donations made by people who support quality journalism. The Oklahoma attorney generals office, which appealed Inges order, declined to comment on Thursdays ruling. At time of writing, he is still serving his life sentence without the possibility of parole, and is now 54 years old. OK man arrested for. By: Dana Hertneky. 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. About Tommy Ward 37 years since Ada murder, Ward still in custody - KTEN 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. 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. 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. Tommy Ward has been in prison for 35 years and was supposed to be released today after a judge dismissed Ward's murder conviction. The attorney generals office now has 20 days to respond. Ward remained in prison while the state appealed the ruling, The Associated Press reported at the time. Ward is a hardworking and dedicated artist who continues to make a name for himself in the entertainment industry. Attorneys in Ada 'Innocent Man' murder case 'blown away' by content of Ada store clerk Denice Haraway was abducted and killed on April 28, 1984. . Barrett noted that the appeals court ordered the lower court to consider an additional claim regarding new evidence discovered in 2019. Wards attorneys said its far too late for Ward to receive a fair trial. To the extent that this could be the next Sinatra of our time." (Oklahoma Department of Corrections via AP), Connect with the definitive source for global and local news. 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. We promise to never spam you. Timmy Ward 2022 Gamelogs | The Football Database Oklahoma seeks to uphold the murder conviction of Karl Fontenot in the murder of Donna Denice Haraway. 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. Tommy Ward. Tommy Ward is still behind bars waiting for an appeal. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and filming for Halloween Ends to release on October 14, 2022 with! 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. Tommy has been recommended for parole at least twice, but turned down by the board in Oklahoma. Check out never-before-seen content, free digital evidence kits, and much more! The judge also called the evidence against Ward circumstantial and said nearly all of the details in his confession were inaccurate. Back in December a Ponotoc County judge overturned Wards conviction saying prosecutors withheld evidence in the case. 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. Tuesday, they filed a brief with the Oklahoma Court of Criminal . In both Ward and Fontenots cases, judges issued rulings excoriating investigators for withholding favorable evidence from defense attorneys. 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. Last week, a Pontotoc County District Court judge ordered Tommy Ward be released from prison. Position: WR Height: 6-0 Weight: 190 College: Rutgers Hometown: Canton, PA High School: Canton HS 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. Court Rules 'Innocent Man' Defendant to Remain Imprisoned I didnt even know what the word 'statement' or 'confessing' meant 'til they told me I confessed to it. The Official YouTube Channel of Tommy Ward. Judge orders 'Innocent Man' defendant freed - Enidnews.com Court upholds overturned conviction in 'Innocent Man' case Ward was convicted alongside Karl Fontenot for murdering Donna Harraway in Ada. Tommy's legal team dedicated to freeing Tommy Ward from prison for a crime he did not commit.. Start your Independent Premium subscription today. Wards attorneys said its far too late for Ward to receive a fair trial. Fontenot has been released pending a decision from the United States 10th Circuit Court of Appeals. Fontenot's case was picked up by The Innocence Project in 2011, but there's . 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 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. We cant do it without your support. The state also claims witnesses saw men matching Ward and Fontenots descriptions in the convenience store where Haraway worked before she disappeared.