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.. Tweet 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. We are pressing forward exploring the possibility of going to federal court with additional appeals, Barrett said. As a nonprofit news organization,The Frontieris funded by tax-deductible donations made by people who support quality journalism. "Tommy is the epitome of great music. So thats the reason I gave them an untrue statement so they would leave me alone.. 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. Oklahoma seeks to uphold the murder conviction of Karl Fontenot in the murder of Donna "Denice" Haraway. 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. Oklahoma seeks to uphold the murder conviction of Karl Fontenot in the murder of Donna Denice Haraway. "They said I had a choice to write it or tape it. The convictions were based almost entirely on accounts they said they retrieved from dreams. Ward's case, and others, have been the. John Grisham continues to correspond with both men. Fontenot and Thomas Ward were convicted of killing Ada convenience store clerk Donna Denice Haraway in 1984. 19 talking about this. Karl Fontenot, Tommy Ward. Check out never-before-seen content, free digital evidence kits, and much more! In 2020, District Judge Paula Inge vacated his conviction, dismissed the charges against him, and ordered him set free. 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. The judge also called the evidence against Ward circumstantial and said nearly all of the details in his confession were inaccurate. The Official YouTube Channel of Tommy Ward. 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. Ward has also had a widely celebrated opening act run for comedy legend Louie Anderson during his tenure at the Plaza Hotel. 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 . However, she would never be seen alive again. Ada store clerk Denice Haraway was abducted and killed on April 28, 1984. . Heres a link to the decision, Mark Barrett & The Center on Wrongful Convictions tweeted, with the legal documents confirming the move attached. Ward and Fontenot were both granted a retrial a few years later, and again found guilty of Haraway's death. Fontenots lawyers at first waived the right to respond to the state, but the Supreme Court then requested a response. Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? The two insisted they were innocent, but still ended up convicted of Haraway's murder. 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. The Court of Criminal Appeals ordered Tommy Ward, 60, to remain imprisoned while the state appeals the lower courts ruling that he be released. 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. Fontenot, Wards co-defendant, was ordered released by a federal judge in 2019, and the state is also appealing that order. Ward was convicted alongside Karl Fontenot for murdering Donna Harraway in Ada. 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. 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. 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. The judge said newly discovered evidence about Fontenots alibi and other suspects in the murder provided solid proof of his probable innocence. Create your free profile and get access to exclusive content. . A spokeswoman for Attorney General John OConnor declined to comment on the pending cases. 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. sharing the stories, pictures and loves of Oklahomans across our great state. 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. Tommy Ward is a critically acclaimed singer and entertainer from Las Vegas who has a deep love and appreciation for legendary musicians and crooners. Keep up-to-date with everything that happens in your world. More damningly, Haraway had not been been stabbed as the young men had described. Want to support our mission to hold powerful people accountable, give a voice to the voiceless, and shine a light on darkness in Oklahoma? The 10th U.S. The judge said newly discovered evidence about Fontenot's alibi and other suspects in the murder provided "solid proof" of his probable innocence. The state also claims witnesses saw men matching Ward and Fontenots descriptions in the convenience store where Haraway worked before she disappeared. 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 court of criminal appeals voted unanimously to reinstate Tommy Ward's murder conviction. Both Ward and . 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. 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! Haraways body was located after the convictions. ADVERTISEMENT Tuesday, July 6th 2021, 11:00 pm. 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. Oxygen Insider is your all-access pass to never-before-seen content, free digital evidence kits, and much more! - QUINCY JONES, 27 time GRAMMY-award-winning producer "A fine singer A lovely, silky voice." It was based on the 2006 true-crime book The Innocent Man: Murder and Injustice in a Small Town by John Grisham. I didnt even know what the word 'statement' or 'confessing' meant 'til they told me I confessed to it. 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. Wards attorneys said its far too late for Ward to receive a fair trial. Since the age of 16, Ward has had the opportunity to work alongside industry veterans and legends. His conviction is the subject of the Netflix docu-series "The . Please refer to our. 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. He often uses his platform to raise awareness for various charitable causes and uses his talents to give back to his community. 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. The Official YouTube Channel of Tommy Ward. info@tommywardmusic.com | Privacy Policy | Terms of Use. 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. An autopsy showed evidence that she had been shot and no sign that she had been stabbed, per The AP. Ward remains in prison as the Oklahoma Court of Criminal Appeals weighs his case. 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. Appears the state will retry Karl Fontenot, who was released 2 years ago and subject of #netflix special. More to come. 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 representing Tommy Ward continue to fight for his release from jail. That evidence includes previously undisclosed suspects and whether police provided Ward with information about the victim's blouse, which prosecutors said he had described. Ward is a hardworking and dedicated artist who continues to make a name for himself in the entertainment industry. By, 'Deeply tainted': Oklahoma conservatives call for moratorium, abolition of the death penalty, Sheriff, jail health care provider seek public money to increase staff after two women died, AG Drummond orders independent counsel to review Glossip death penalty case, Oklahoma Attorney General requests more time in between executions. 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. We cant do it without your support. We promise to never spam you. This is new info, and were trying to figure what this means right now. 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. Please refer to our. Ward is the subject of a Netflix docuseries and a book by John Grisham. Justices may determine before the courts term ends this summer whether to review the case. Thomas Ward, known to the public as Tommy Ward, was convicted in 1999 of the 1984 murder of Donna Denice Haraway in Ada, Oklahoma. Also Read: 'The Innocent Man': Netflix Sets December Launch for Docuseries Based on John Grisham Book. 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. 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. Get all your true crime news from Oxygen. 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's legal team dedicated to freeing Tommy Ward from prison for a crime he did not commit.. 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. He is now 58 years old and says he will not admit guilt even if it means improving his chances at parole. 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. He is 54 years old and is being held at the at the North Fork Correctional Center in Sayre in Oklahoma. He's very disappointed that he's still in prison for a murder he didn't commit, Ward's attorney, Mark Barrett, said Tuesday. Fontenot was released in December 2019 at the age of 55 after a federal judge ordered he be released or retried. 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. 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. Tommy Ward to be set free . 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 reminds me of working with Frank Sinatra in some strange way." Breaking news: Judge orders Tommy released and vacates his conviction. Tommy has been recommended for parole at least twice, but turned down by the board in Oklahoma. Attorneys For Tommy Ward 'The Innocent Man' Continue Fight For His Release From Jail. 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 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. It was later upheld when the U.S. Supreme Court declined to hear the state's appeal. 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. The attorneys claim a trove of hundreds of new documents uncovered in a police storage room back up Fontenots claims of innocence. Newson6.com is proud to provide Oklahomans with timely and relevant news and information, The attorney generals office now has 20 days to respond. We promise to never spam you. 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. Fontenot was released from prison after a federal judge in Oklahoma ruled in 2019 that the state committed numerous constitutional violations. Sign up with your email address to receive news and updates.
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