Fontenot is free on bond as the appeals process plays out. Tuesday, they filed a brief with the Oklahoma Court of Criminal Appeals. He is 54 years old and is being held at the at the North Fork Correctional Center in Sayre in Oklahoma. 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! The attorneys claim a trove of hundreds of new documents uncovered in a police storage room back up Fontenots claims of innocence. Tommy has been recommended for parole at least twice, but turned down by the board in Oklahoma. This contradicted the confessions, which stated that Haraway had been stabbed to death. Heres a link to the decision, Mark Barrett & The Center on Wrongful Convictions tweeted, with the legal documents confirming the move attached. Fontenot has been released pending a decision from the United States 10th Circuit Court of Appeals. In June this year, the US Supreme Court refused to take up the case and to examine the states appeal. 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. We are pressing forward exploring the possibility of going to federal court with additional appeals, Barrett said. 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. A spokeswoman for Attorney General John OConnor declined to comment on the pending cases. Tommy's legal team dedicated to freeing Tommy Ward from prison for a crime he did not commit.. Tommy Ward to be set free . John Grisham continues to correspond with both men. 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. 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. 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. Oct 28, 2022. 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. Barrett noted that the appeals court ordered the lower court to consider an additional claim regarding new evidence discovered in 2019. 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. 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. Ward was convicted in the case in 1989 along with a co-defendant named Karl Fontenot. All rights reserved. have asked the court of appeals . 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 . SIGN UP FOR OUR FREE DAILY NEWSLETTER, FIRST TAKE, 'The Innocent Man': Netflix Sets December Launch for Docuseries Based on John Grisham Book. We promise to never spam you. ADVERTISEMENT The attorney generals office now has 20 days to respond. The attorney generals office now has 20 days to respond. Tommy Ward. Check out never-before-seen content, free digital evidence kits, and much more! 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. Keep up-to-date with everything that happens in your world. 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. Ward is currently still in prison while the appeals process continues. Back in December a Ponotoc County judge overturned Wards conviction saying prosecutors withheld evidence in the case. Wards attorneys said its far too late for Ward to receive a fair trial. 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.. The Oklahoma attorney generals office, which appealed Inges order, declined to comment on Thursdays ruling. I received Christmas cards last week from both Tommy Ward and Karl Fontenot, so we keep in touch," Grisham said. Attorneys representing Tommy Ward continue to fight for his release from jail. As a nonprofit news organization,The Frontieris funded by tax-deductible donations made by people who support quality journalism. 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. 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.. John 3:16. 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. That evidence includes previously undisclosed suspects and whether police provided Ward with information about the victim's blouse, which prosecutors said he had described. sharing the stories, pictures and loves of Oklahomans across our great state. The judge said newly discovered evidence about Fontenots alibi and other suspects in the murder provided solid proof of his probable innocence. Tommy Ward is a critically acclaimed singer and entertainer from Las Vegas who has a deep love and appreciation for legendary musicians and crooners. 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 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. 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. 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. Get all your true crime news from Oxygen. 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. attempted to take on Fontenot's case in 2013, a 2017 interview with The Marshall Project. 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 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. Instead, she had died from a gunshot wound. The state court of criminal appeals voted unanimously to reinstate Tommy Ward's murder conviction. The judge also called the evidence against Ward circumstantial and said nearly all of the details in his confession were inaccurate. 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. I agree with TheWrap's Terms of Service and Privacy Policy and provide my consent to receive marketing communications from them. In addition to his impressive performances, Ward has a true passion for music and the arts. 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. - STEVE WYNN, founder Wynn Resorts "I just saw Tommy in Las Vegas at a corporate event and I was BLOWN AWAY. A federal judge in Muskogee overturned Fontenot's conviction in late 2019. Fontenot has been released pending a decision from the United States 10th Circuit Court of Appeals. Critically acclaimed singer, musician, and entertainer. 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. 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. Fontenots and Wards attorneys did not respond to requests for comment. Back in December a Ponotoc County judge overturned Wards conviction saying prosecutors withheld evidence in the case. More damningly, Haraway had not been been stabbed as the young men had described. Ward is the subject of a Netflix docuseries and a book by John Grisham. The victim, Donna Denice Haraway, disappeared from the McAnally's convenience store in Ada on April 28, 1984. 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. When you read their briefs, they dont take issue with the fact that this information was withheld from him. PublishedDecember 26, 2020 at 10:50 AM CST, KGOU | The. Share. 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. His conviction is the subject of the Netflix docu-series "The . 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. Its clear as day.. 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. It was later upheld when the U.S. Supreme Court declined to hear the state's appeal. 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 is still behind bars waiting for an appeal. Ward remains in prison as the Oklahoma Court of Criminal Appeals weighs his case. You can opt-out at any time. Subscribe for the latest music videos, performances, and more!Tommy's new album "From This Moment On" available n. 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. Subscribe and Follow on Facebook and YouTube for the latest music. 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. Both Ward and . 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! Ward was featured in the Netflix. 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. The two insisted they were innocent, but still ended up convicted of Haraway's murder. Ward's newly released EP "From This Moment On," (2022) produced by LeCoq Records, showcases his stunning vocal abilities . and his videos on social media have racked up millions of views. "Tommy is the epitome of great music. I didnt even know what the word 'statement' or 'confessing' meant 'til they told me I confessed to it. 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. Since the age of 16, Ward has had the opportunity to work alongside industry veterans and legends. Ward and Fontenot were sentenced to death on January 21, 1985 after being found guilty of murdering Haraway. Get an all-access pass to never-before-seen content, free digital evidence kits, and much more! Please refer to our. 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.. You can opt-out at any time. Courtesy Netflix. 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 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 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. Fontenot was sentenced to death again but Ward was sentenced to life in prison, according to The Oklahoman. Tuesday, they filed a brief with the Oklahoma Court of Criminal . We cant do it without your support. Oxygen Insider is your all-access pass to never-before-seen content, free digital evidence kits, and much more! But one day before Ward's release, a temporary stay,. More to come. Also Read: 'The Innocent Man': Netflix Sets December Launch for Docuseries Based on John Grisham Book. Fight for his release from jail crime Netflix Series was released back in 2018, and temporary. Tommy Ward is a critically acclaimed singer and entertainer from Las Vegas who has a deep love and appreciation for legendary musicians and crooners. The state also claims witnesses saw men matching Ward and Fontenots descriptions in the convenience store where Haraway worked before she disappeared. Tuesday, they filed a brief with the Oklahoma Court of Criminal Appeals. 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. Fontenots conviction was overturned in 2019, and he was freed pending an appeal by the state. 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. info@tommywardmusic.com | Privacy Policy | Terms of Use. Sign up with your email address to receive news and updates. 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. 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. 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. She decided to vacate Wards conviction and life sentence, and ordered his release. 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. OK man arrested for. Both have excellent teams of lawyers who continue to work for their release.. 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 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. Attorneys For Tommy Ward 'The Innocent Man' Continue Fight For His Release From Jail. Tommy Ward, 61, and Karl Fontenot, 58, were . Create your free profile and get access to exclusive content. Denice Haraway of Ada, Oklahoma went in for an ordinary day of work at her convenience store job on April 28, 1984. 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. 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. Thomas Ward, known to the public as Tommy Ward, was convicted in 1999 of the 1984 murder of Donna Denice Haraway in Ada, Oklahoma. 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. Though no physical evidence tied them to Haraways disappearance, Fontenot and Ward initially confessed to the crime after questioning by investigators. Fontenot's case was picked up by The Innocence Project in 2011, but there's . Wards attorneys said its far too late for Ward to receive a fair trial. Ward is a hardworking and dedicated artist who continues to make a name for himself in the entertainment industry. mail This is new info, and were trying to figure what this means right now. Appears the state will retry Karl Fontenot, who was released 2 years ago and subject of #netflix special. 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. Attorneys representing Tommy Ward continue to fight for his release from jail. He's very disappointed that he's still in prison for a murder he didn't commit, Ward's attorney, Mark Barrett, said Tuesday.
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