7726 5241 Dial by your location +1 346 248 7799 US Are allowed finish! "They have now been in prison for 31 years, serving hard time for a murder committed by someone else. 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. Heres a link to the decision https://t.co/21UQag7LEi, Tommy Ward: The Innocent Man (@WardInnocentMan) December 19, 2020. 19 talking about this. Fontenot, 57 and Tommy Ward, 61, were both twice convicted in Haraways murder. As a nonprofit news organization,The Frontieris funded by tax-deductible donations made by people who support quality journalism. Haraways body was located after the convictions. Last week, a Pontotoc County District Court judge ordered Tommy Ward be released from prison. 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. Tommy Ward has been in prison 35 years for a murder he swears he did not commit. [Warning: Spoilers for "The Innocent Man" ahead!]. 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.. Back in December a Ponotoc County judge overturned Wards conviction saying prosecutors withheld evidence in the case. Local prosecutors again secured their convictions, based largely on their confessions. 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. 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. 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. Judge vacates Tommy Ward's sentences in 'The Innocent Man' case Tuesday, they filed a brief with the Oklahoma Court of Criminal . The judge found Tommy Ward didnt get a fair trial. Tommy Ward has been in prison for 35 years and was supposed to be released today after a judge dismissed Ward's murder conviction. Tommy Ward, 61, and Karl Fontenot, 58, were . His conviction is the subject of the Netflix docu-series "The . This is new info, and were trying to figure what this means right now. 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.. 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. Breaking news: Judge orders Tommy released and vacates his conviction. We promise to never spam you. The Innocent Man - Tommy Ward and Karl Fontenot now - Digital Spy She was 24. Attorneys For Tommy Ward 'The Innocent Man' Continue Fight For His Ward and Fontenot were sentenced to death on January 21, 1985 after being found guilty of murdering Haraway. Ward's case was the focus of the Netflix documentary "The Innocent Man, " which was released in 2018. Oklahoma seeks to uphold the murder conviction of Karl Fontenot in the murder of Donna Denice Haraway. That evidence includes previously undisclosed suspects and whether police provided Ward with information about the victim's blouse, which prosecutors said he had described. Subscribe for the latest music videos, performances, and more!Tommy's new album "From This Moment On" available n. Attorneys For Tommy Ward 'The Innocent Man' Continue Fight For His Release From Jail. Fontenot is currently awaiting the results of a federal appeal. Judge orders release or new trial for 'Innocent Man' defendant I didnt even know what the word 'statement' or 'confessing' meant 'til they told me I confessed to it. In addition to his impressive performances, Ward has a true passion for music and the arts. Court rules 'Innocent Man' defendant to remain imprisoned - AP NEWS remains wrongfully imprisoned . Ward is a hardworking and dedicated artist who continues to make a name for himself in the entertainment industry. Attorneys For Tommy Ward 'The Innocent Man' Continue Fight For His info@tommywardmusic.com | Privacy Policy | Terms of Use. Karl Fontenot, Tommy Ward. 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. Court Extends Temporary Stay 1 Day Before Tommy Ward's Expected Release To the extent that this could be the next Sinatra of our time." 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. Tuesday, they filed a brief with the Oklahoma Court of Criminal Appeals. 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. tommy ward released 2022 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. 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. 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. This is new info, and were trying to figure what this means right now. 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'. Attorneys in Ada 'Innocent Man' case request judge vacate Ward's The judge said newly discovered evidence about Fontenot's 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. 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 . Attorneys representing Tommy Ward continue to fight for his release from jail. Ward remained in prison while the state appealed the ruling, The Associated Press reported at the time. Get an all-access pass to never-before-seen content, free digital evidence kits, and much more! Donate to The Frontier to support local independent investigative journalism. Oklahoma seeks to uphold the murder conviction of Karl Fontenot in the murder of Donna Denice Haraway. Its clear as day.. Ada store clerk Denice Haraway was abducted and killed on April 28, 1984. . More:Oklahoma Army veteran gets probation for role in Jan. 6 US Capitol riot. (Oklahoma Department of Corrections via AP), Connect with the definitive source for global and local news. ADVERTISEMENT Attorneys in Ada 'Innocent Man' murder case 'blown away' by content of 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. Barrett noted that the appeals court ordered the lower court to consider an additional claim regarding new evidence discovered in 2019. Courtesy Netflix. Ward is currently still in prison while the appeals process continues. 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. 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 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. Oklahoma Attorney General's Office Appeals Release Of Tommy Ward 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. The newlywed college student worked as a clerk there at night. 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. 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 'Innocent Man' case eye federal court after lower court's Fight for his release from jail crime Netflix Series was released back in 2018, and temporary. 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. Tommy's legal team dedicated to freeing Tommy Ward from prison for a crime he did not commit.. Check out never-before-seen content, free digital evidence kits, and much more! 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. 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! John 3:16. 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. Ward's accurate description of the blouse was the only information that he gave that was correct in his confession, Barrett said. sharing the stories, pictures and loves of Oklahomans across our great state. Prisoner seen in Netflix's The Innocent Man has murder conviction The convictions were based almost entirely on accounts they said they retrieved from dreams. Justices may determine before the courts term ends this summer whether to review the case. 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. 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 state also claims witnesses saw men matching Ward and Fontenots descriptions in the convenience store where Haraway worked before she disappeared. Ward and Fontenot were both granted a retrial a few years later, and again found guilty of Haraway's death. Please refer to our. Fontenots and Wards attorneys did not respond to requests for comment. 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. 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. Wr Hines Ward - NFL.com /a > attorneys representing Tommy Ward was one of two serving! But the men quickly recanted and have claimed for decades that police coerced them to say they killed Haraway. 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. YOU'VE REACHED YOUR MONTHLY ARTICLE LIMIT. Oklahoma court reinstates 'Innocent Man' 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. 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. Since the age of 16, Ward has had the opportunity to work alongside industry veterans and legends. Oct 28, 2022. Critically acclaimed singer, musician, and entertainer. Tuesday, they filed a brief with the Oklahoma Court of Criminal 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. She decided to vacate Wards conviction and life sentence, and ordered his release. "They said I had a choice to write it or tape it. You can opt-out at any time. Sign up forOxygen Insiderfor all the best true crime content. Attorneys representing Tommy Ward continue to fight for his release from jail. And the prosecutorial misconduct did not end with the trial: over the next thirty years, the State continued to withhold evidence, releasing it piecemeal only when compelled to do so by multiple court orders, the lawyers told the court. Thomas Ward, known to the public as Tommy Ward, was convicted in 1999 of the 1984 murder of Donna Denice Haraway in Ada, Oklahoma. Start your Independent Premium subscription today. 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'. The judge also called the evidence against Ward circumstantial and said nearly all of the details in his confession were inaccurate. Ward is the subject of a Netflix docuseries and a book by John Grisham. Fontenot was released from prison after a federal judge in Oklahoma ruled in 2019 that the state committed numerous constitutional violations. Court Rules 'Innocent Man' Defendant to Remain Imprisoned The state court of criminal appeals voted unanimously to reinstate Tommy Ward's murder conviction. 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 convictions of Ward and Fontenot have come under intense scrutiny for years and have been the subject of numerous books, including John Grishams The Innocent Man, which he produced into a six-part documentary. 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. 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. Newson6.com is proud to provide Oklahomans with timely and relevant news and information, She said police and prosecutors withheld evidence that would have assisted Wards defense. Subscribe and Follow on Facebook and YouTube for the latest music. 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. Fontenot was sentenced to death again but Ward was sentenced to life in prison, according to The Oklahoman. However, she would never be seen alive again. Tommy Ward, Convicted Murderer and Subject of Netflix's 'The - TheWrap Both are model prisoners. 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, July 6th 2021, 11:00 pm. 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. Keep up-to-date with everything that happens in your world. He is 54 years old and is being held at the at the North Fork Correctional Center in Sayre in Oklahoma. Haraway was working as a clerk in a convenience store when she went missing in Ada in 1984. But one day before Ward's release, a temporary stay,. Ward is currently still in prison while the appeals process continues. But now, Wards release has been blocked by the state Attorney Generals Office. So thats the reason I gave them an untrue statement so they would leave me alone.. 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. 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. Please refer to our. An Oklahoma judge ruled that the case rested on circumstantial evidence. Fontenot is free on bond as the appeals process plays out. Judge orders 'Innocent Man' defendant freed - Enidnews.com 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.. 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.. 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. Tommy Ward is a critically acclaimed singer and entertainer from Las Vegas who has a deep love and appreciation for legendary musicians and crooners. Want to support our mission to hold powerful people accountable, give a voice to the voiceless, and shine a light on darkness in Oklahoma? 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. - QUINCY JONES, 27 time GRAMMY-award-winning producer "A fine singer A lovely, silky voice." Timmy Ward gamelogs for the 2022 season. 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 10th U.S. Ward was convicted in the case in 1989 along with a co-defendant named Karl Fontenot. Tommy Ward was one of two men serving a life sentence for the 1984 murder of Denice Haraway in Ada. Tuesday, they filed a brief with the Oklahoma Court of Criminal Appeals. 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. 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. 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. mail Position: WR Height: 6-0 Weight: 190 College: Rutgers Hometown: Canton, PA High School: Canton HS 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. Tommy has been recommended for parole at least twice, but turned down by the board in Oklahoma. . The Oklahoma attorney generals office, which appealed Inges order, declined to comment on Thursdays ruling. We are pressing forward exploring the possibility of going to federal court with additional appeals, Barrett said. Fontenot's case was picked up by The Innocence Project in 2011, but there's . - BART TORRES, 99.7FM The Highway Vibe. Fontenot has been released pending a decision from the United States 10th Circuit Court of Appeals. 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. State asks U.S. Supreme Court to uphold conviction in 'Innocent Man' Oklahoma court reinstates murder conviction of Tommy Ward Sign up with your email address to receive news and updates. 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.. We promise to never spam you. What Happened To Tommy Ward And Karl Fontenot? 'The Innocent Man The. 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. Create a free profile to get unlimited access to exclusive videos, breaking news, sweepstakes, and more! Coverage of the latest true crime stories and famous cases explained, as well as the best TV shows, movies and podcasts in the genre. 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. News9.com is proud to provide Oklahomans with timely and relevant news and information, 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 was convicted alongside Karl Fontenot for murdering Donna Harraway in Ada. Tommy Ward is still behind bars waiting for an appeal. Also Read: 'The Innocent Man': Netflix Sets December Launch for Docuseries Based on John Grisham Book. In June this year, the US Supreme Court refused to take up the case and to examine the states appeal. 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. It was based on the 2006 true-crime book The Innocent Man: Murder and Injustice in a Small Town by John Grisham. Fontenot and Thomas Ward were convicted of killing Ada convenience store clerk Donna Denice Haraway in 1984. The two insisted they were innocent, but still ended up convicted of Haraway's murder. Appears the state will retry Karl Fontenot, who was released 2 years ago and subject of #netflix special. 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.