The two insisted they were innocent, but still ended up convicted of Haraway's murder. have asked the court of appeals . 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. Ward and Fontenot were both granted a retrial a few years later, and again found guilty of Haraway's death. This is new info, and were trying to figure what this means right now. Tommy Ward has been in prison for 35 years and was supposed to be released today after a judge dismissed Ward's murder conviction. Fontenot is currently awaiting the results of a federal appeal. 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. The 10th U.S. The Court of Criminal Appeals ordered Tommy Ward, 60, to remain imprisoned while the state appeals the lower courts ruling that he be released. 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. 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. 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. But one day before Ward's release, a temporary stay,. Tommy has been recommended for parole at least twice, but turned down by the board in Oklahoma. In 2020, District Judge Paula Inge vacated his conviction, dismissed the charges against him, and ordered him set free. 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. 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. 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. 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. Ward is currently still in prison while the appeals process continues. Tommy Ward to be set free . 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. Both have excellent teams of lawyers who continue to work for their release.. The judge found Tommy Ward didnt get a fair trial. More to come. Thomas Ward, known to the public as Tommy Ward, was convicted in 1999 of the 1984 murder of Donna Denice Haraway in Ada, Oklahoma. Fight for his release from jail crime Netflix Series was released back in 2018, and temporary. "Everything about their confession has been proven wrong by the discovery of the body," attorney Janet Davis noted in the documentary. 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. (Oklahoma Department of Corrections via AP), Connect with the definitive source for global and local news. He is currently serving time at the Dick Conner Correctional Center in Hominy in Oklahoma. Since the age of 16, Ward has had the opportunity to work alongside industry veterans and legends. 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.. 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! 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. 19 talking about this. 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. 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. This contradicted the confessions, which stated that Haraway had been stabbed to death. The organization has not offered an update on the status of their efforts. 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. To the extent that this could be the next Sinatra of our time." 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. Ward is currently still in prison while the appeals process continues. In addition to his impressive performances, Ward has a true passion for music and the arts. 7726 5241 Dial by your location +1 346 248 7799 US Are allowed finish! 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. and his videos on social media have racked up millions of views. Fontenots and Wards attorneys did not respond to requests for comment. remains wrongfully imprisoned . Fontenot was released in December 2019 at the age of 55 after a federal judge ordered he be released or retried. Link your TV provider to stream full episodes and live TV. The state of Oklahoma engaged in an egregious, decades-long pattern of prosecutorial misconduct to ensure that the facts of Karl Fontenots innocence never came to light, Fontenots legal team told the court. Sign up with your email address to receive news and updates. 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. Forget Me Not EP available now on all major platforms. The attorneys claim a trove of hundreds of new documents uncovered in a police storage room back up Fontenots claims of innocence. The Oklahoma attorney general is appealing the ruling. 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. 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. 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. 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 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's legal team dedicated to freeing Tommy Ward from prison for a crime he did not commit.. Tuesday, they filed a brief with the Oklahoma Court of Criminal . More to come. 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. Courtesy Netflix. By: Dana Hertneky. Advertisement On Friday, a judge vacated Ward's convictions and sentences, dismissed the charges and . She decided to vacate Wards conviction and life sentence, and ordered his release. Timmy Ward gamelogs for the 2022 season. Its clear as day.. Ward and Fontenot were sentenced to death on January 21, 1985 after being found guilty of murdering Haraway. 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. In a 2017 interview with The Marshall Project, the author discussed their fates. You can opt-out at any time. Oklahoma seeks to uphold the murder conviction of Karl Fontenot in the murder of Donna Denice Haraway. 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. More damningly, Haraway had not been been stabbed as the young men had described. Attorneys representing Tommy Ward continue to fight for his release from jail. 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. 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. Please refer to our. 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. 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.. John 3:16. The judge also called the evidence against Ward circumstantial and said nearly all of the details in his confession were inaccurate. 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. Appears the state will retry Karl Fontenot, who was released 2 years ago and subject of #netflix special. The state court of criminal appeals voted unanimously to reinstate Tommy Ward's murder conviction. 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. 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.. Last week, a Pontotoc County District Court judge ordered Tommy Ward be released from prison. Attorneys For Tommy Ward 'The Innocent Man' Continue Fight For His Release From Jail. 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. The newlywed college student worked as a clerk there at night. @WardInnocentMan. In both Ward and Fontenots cases, judges issued rulings excoriating investigators for withholding favorable evidence from defense attorneys. The. Fontenot, 57 and Tommy Ward, 61, were both twice convicted in Haraways murder. 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. Justices may determine before the courts term ends this summer whether to review the case. 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. All rights reserved. Breaking news: Judge orders Tommy released and vacates his conviction. The attorney generals office now has 20 days to respond. An Oklahoma judge ruled that the case rested on circumstantial evidence. John Grisham continues to correspond with both men. Tommy Ward, 61, and Karl Fontenot, 58, were . 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. Ward's accurate description of the blouse was the only information that he gave that was correct in his confession, Barrett said. Which they did after I taped the statement," Fontenot said almost immediately after his interrogation, as described in Grisham's book. Get an all-access pass to never-before-seen content, free digital evidence kits, and much more! Fontenot's case was picked up by The Innocence Project in 2011, but there's . 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. Haraways body was located after the convictions. Wards attorneys said its far too late for Ward to receive a fair trial. 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. 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. An autopsy showed evidence that she had been shot and no sign that she had been stabbed, per The AP. Haraway was working as a clerk in a convenience store when she went missing in Ada in 1984. 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. Tommy Ward is a critically acclaimed singer and entertainer from Las Vegas who has a deep love and appreciation for legendary musicians and crooners. Tommy Ward was one of two men serving a life sentence for the 1984 murder of Denice Haraway in Ada. She said police and prosecutors withheld evidence that would have assisted Wards defense. It was later upheld when the U.S. Supreme Court declined to hear the state's appeal. Among Fontenots legal team is Donald B. VerrilliJr., the U.S. solicitor general from 2011 to 2016. 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! Subscribe for the latest music videos, performances, and more!Tommy's new album "From This Moment On" available n. So thats the reason I gave them an untrue statement so they would leave me alone.. "They said I had a choice to write it or tape it. A prisoner featured in the Netflix documentary series The Innocent Man has had his murder conviction and life sentence reinstated after previously being granted relief. The Official YouTube Channel of Tommy Ward. Back in December a Ponotoc County judge overturned Wards conviction saying prosecutors withheld evidence in the case. 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. Karl Fontenot, Tommy Ward. Subscribe for the latest music videos, performances, and more!Tommy's new album "From This Moment On" available n. 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. 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'. attempted to take on Fontenot's case in 2013, a 2017 interview with The Marshall Project. 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. Tuesday, they filed a brief with the Oklahoma Court of Criminal Appeals. Fontenot was released from prison after a federal judge in Oklahoma ruled in 2019 that the state committed numerous constitutional violations. Share Oklahoma seeks to uphold the murder conviction of Karl Fontenot in the murder of Donna "Denice" Haraway. Coverage of the latest true crime stories and famous cases explained, as well as the best TV shows, movies and podcasts in the genre. Tommy Ward is still behind bars waiting for an appeal. "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. Denice Haraway of Ada, Oklahoma went in for an ordinary day of work at her convenience store job on April 28, 1984. 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. 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. 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. Critically acclaimed singer, musician, and entertainer. Fontenot. Keep up-to-date with everything that happens in your world. 2023 www.oklahoman.com. 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. mail I received Christmas cards last week from both Tommy Ward and Karl Fontenot, so we keep in touch," Grisham said. The victim, Donna Denice Haraway, disappeared from the McAnally's convenience store in Ada on April 28, 1984. 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. Ward was convicted in the case in 1989 along with a co-defendant named Karl Fontenot. Create your free profile and get access to exclusive content. Newson6.com is proud to provide Oklahomans with timely and relevant news and information, The Oklahoma attorney generals office, which appealed Inges order, declined to comment on Thursdays ruling. PublishedDecember 26, 2020 at 10:50 AM CST, KGOU | The Official YouTube Channel of Tommy Ward. However, she would never be seen alive again. 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.