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Oklahoma court reinstates murder conviction of Tommy Ward When you read their briefs, they dont take issue with the fact that this information was withheld from him. 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. 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? 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. He is 54 years old and is being held at the at the North Fork Correctional Center in Sayre in Oklahoma. By: Dana Hertneky. 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. Attorneys in 'Innocent Man' case eye federal court after lower court's 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. As a nonprofit news organization,The Frontieris funded by tax-deductible donations made by people who support quality journalism. 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. . To the extent that this could be the next Sinatra of our time." But now, Wards release has been blocked by the state Attorney Generals Office. But one day before Ward's release, a temporary stay,. - BART TORRES, 99.7FM The Highway Vibe. OK man arrested for. Ward's case was the focus of the Netflix documentary "The Innocent Man, " which was released in 2018. info@tommywardmusic.com | Privacy Policy | Terms of Use. 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. This is new info, and were trying to figure what this means right now. Attorneys For Tommy Ward 'The Innocent Man' Continue Fight For His More damningly, Haraway had not been been stabbed as the young men had described. Court Rules 'Innocent Man' Defendant to Remain Imprisoned 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. All rights reserved. Position: WR Height: 6-0 Weight: 190 College: Rutgers Hometown: Canton, PA High School: Canton HS More to come. 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. So thats the reason I gave them an untrue statement so they would leave me alone.. Please refer to our. Fontenot has been released pending a decision from the United States 10th Circuit Court of Appeals. About Tommy Ward 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. It was based on the 2006 true-crime book The Innocent Man: Murder and Injustice in a Small Town by John Grisham. The convictions were based almost entirely on accounts they said they retrieved from dreams. "They said I had a choice to write it or tape it. 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.. Courtesy. Forget Me Not EP available now on all major platforms. In June this year, the US Supreme Court refused to take up the case and to examine the states appeal. They cant. Fontenots death sentence was later reduced to life before his conviction was reversed by a federal appeals court. Tommy Ward is still behind bars waiting for an appeal. Subscribe for the latest music videos, performances, and more!Tommy's new album "From This Moment On" available n. PublishedDecember 26, 2020 at 10:50 AM CST, KGOU | The judge said newly discovered evidence about Fontenots alibi and other suspects in the murder provided solid proof of his probable innocence. Newson6.com is proud to provide Oklahomans with timely and relevant news and information, Attorneys For Tommy Ward 'The Innocent Man' Continue Fight For His Release From Jail. 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. He reminds me of working with Frank Sinatra in some strange way." 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. 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. 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. 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. Fontenot was released from prison after a federal judge in Oklahoma ruled in 2019 that the state committed numerous constitutional violations. Ward remains in prison as the Oklahoma Court of Criminal Appeals weighs his case. 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 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 newlywed college student worked as a clerk there at night. Denice Haraway of Ada, Oklahoma went in for an ordinary day of work at her convenience store job on April 28, 1984. sharing the stories, pictures and loves of Oklahomans across our great state. Ward's case, and others, have been the. But the men quickly recanted and have claimed for decades that police coerced them to say they killed Haraway. Court upholds overturned conviction in 'Innocent Man' case Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? 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. Oklahoma Attorney General responds to innocence claims by 'Innocent Man 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.. This contradicted the confessions, which stated that Haraway had been stabbed to death. 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. Tommy Ward, 61, and Karl Fontenot, 58, were . The Oklahoma attorney generals office, which appealed Inges order, declined to comment on Thursdays ruling. 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. Breaking news: Judge orders Tommy released and vacates his conviction. Oklahoma seeks to uphold the murder conviction of Karl Fontenot in the murder of Donna Denice Haraway. We promise to never spam you. Ward's attorney, Mark Barrett, will also be filing an appeal for exoneration. The Oklahoma Court of Criminal Appeals on Friday reinstated Tommy Ward's murder conviction in an infamous 1984 case out of Ada. In 2020, District Judge Paula Inge vacated his conviction, dismissed the charges against him, and ordered him set free. Justices may determine before the courts term ends this summer whether to review the case. Tommy Ward: The Innocent Man (@WardInnocentMan) / Twitter It was later upheld when the U.S. Supreme Court declined to hear the state's appeal. Oklahoma Attorney General's Office Appeals Release Of Tommy Ward 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. Courtesy Netflix. 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. 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. Create a free profile to get unlimited access to exclusive videos, breaking news, sweepstakes, and more! The two insisted they were innocent, but still ended up convicted of Haraway's murder. Back in December a Ponotoc County judge overturned Wards conviction saying prosecutors withheld evidence in the case. 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. Fontenots conviction was overturned in 2019, and he was freed pending an appeal by the state. He's very disappointed that he's still in prison for a murder he didn't commit, Ward's attorney, Mark Barrett, said Tuesday. Additional reporting by The Associated Press. 2022 Reader's Choice Winners . Donate to The Frontier to support local independent investigative journalism. 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, Convicted Murderer and Subject of Netflix's 'The - TheWrap 37 years since Ada murder, Ward still in custody - KTEN Fontenot, Wards co-defendant, was ordered released by a federal judge in 2019, and the state is also appealing that order. Haraways body was located after the convictions. 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. You can opt-out at any time. SIGN UP FOR OUR FREE DAILY NEWSLETTER, FIRST TAKE, 'The Innocent Man': Netflix Sets December Launch for Docuseries Based on John Grisham Book. Ward is currently still in prison while the appeals process continues. The attorney generals office now has 20 days to respond. Ward's accurate description of the blouse was the only information that he gave that was correct in his confession, Barrett said. 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. She said police and prosecutors withheld evidence that would have assisted Wards defense. At time of writing, he is still serving his life sentence without the possibility of parole, and is now 54 years old. Its clear as day.. I didnt even know what the word 'statement' or 'confessing' meant 'til they told me I confessed to it. Attorneys representing Tommy Ward continue to fight for his release from jail. Sign up forOxygen Insiderfor all the best true crime content. 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. 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. 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. More to come. We cant do it without your support. Fontenot was released from prison about one year ago after a federal judge found he also didnt receive a fair trial. 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 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. Judge orders release or new trial for 'Innocent Man' defendant Attorneys in Ada 'Innocent Man' case request judge vacate Ward's Attorneys representing Tommy Ward continue to fight for his release from jail. Share. Tommy has been recommended for parole at least twice, but turned down by the board in Oklahoma. Judge orders 'Innocent Man' defendant freed - Enidnews.com The attorney generals office now has 20 days to respond. 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 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. The attorneys claim a trove of hundreds of new documents uncovered in a police storage room back up Fontenots claims of innocence. Wards attorneys said its far too late for Ward to receive a fair trial. "Tommy is the epitome of great music. Oklahoma Attorney General's Office Appeals Release Of Tommy Ward. The Innocent Man - Tommy Ward and Karl Fontenot now - Digital Spy 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. [Warning: Spoilers for "The Innocent Man" ahead!]. Ward remained in prison while the state appealed the ruling, The Associated Press reported at the time. The judge said newly discovered evidence about Fontenot's alibi and other suspects in the murder provided "solid proof" of his probable innocence. Federal appeals court upholds overturned conviction in Ada 'Innocent 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. "The Innocent Man" Tommy Ward files another brief - KFOR.com Wards attorneys said its far too late for Ward to receive a fair trial. Ward was featured in the Netflix. Among Fontenots legal team is Donald B. VerrilliJr., the U.S. solicitor general from 2011 to 2016. 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. 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. Attorneys representing Tommy Ward continue to fight for his release from jail. Please refer to our. Ward is a hardworking and dedicated artist who continues to make a name for himself in the entertainment industry. 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. Local prosecutors again secured their convictions, based largely on their confessions. 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. Fontenot was released in December 2019 at the age of 55 after a federal judge ordered he be released or retried. The judge found Tommy Ward didnt get a fair trial. YOU'VE REACHED YOUR MONTHLY ARTICLE LIMIT. In addition to his impressive performances, Ward has a true passion for music and the arts. Start your Independent Premium subscription today. Get all your true crime news from Oxygen. Oklahoma seeks to uphold the murder conviction of Karl Fontenot in the murder of Donna "Denice" Haraway. Barrett noted that the appeals court ordered the lower court to consider an additional claim regarding new evidence discovered in 2019. 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. Tuesday, they filed a brief with the Oklahoma Court of Criminal Appeals. Tommy Ward is a critically acclaimed singer and entertainer from Las Vegas who has a deep love and appreciation for legendary musicians and crooners. Fontenot and Thomas Ward were convicted of killing Ada convenience store clerk Donna Denice Haraway in 1984. Attorneys For Tommy Ward 'The Innocent Man' Continue Fight For His Release From Jail. 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. Heres a link to the decision https://t.co/21UQag7LEi, Tommy Ward: The Innocent Man (@WardInnocentMan) December 19, 2020. What Happened To Tommy Ward And Karl Fontenot? 'The Innocent Man Breaking news: Judge orders Tommy released and vacates his conviction. 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. sharing the stories, pictures and loves of Oklahomans across our great state. Critically acclaimed singer, musician, and entertainer. Tuesday, July 6th 2021, 11:00 pm. Tommy Ward was one of two men serving a life sentence for the 1984 murder of Denice Haraway in Ada. 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. Court rules 'Innocent Man' defendant to remain imprisoned - AP NEWS 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. Fontenot has been released pending a decision from the United States 10th Circuit Court of Appeals. Both have excellent teams of lawyers who continue to work for their release.. Freed man in 'Dreams of Ada' case slams state appeal to Supreme Court However, she would never be seen alive again. Attorneys representing Tommy Ward continue to fight for his release from jail. 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. The state court of criminal appeals voted unanimously to reinstate Tommy Ward's murder conviction. Ward and Fontenot were both granted a retrial a few years later, and again found guilty of Haraway's death. 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. He is currently serving time at the Dick Conner Correctional Center in Hominy in Oklahoma. Create your free profile and get access to exclusive content. Oklahoma court reinstates 'Innocent Man' murder conviction Keep up-to-date with everything that happens in your world. 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 .