Fontenot is free on bond as the appeals process plays out. sharing the stories, pictures and loves of Oklahomans across our great state. 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. 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. An Oklahoma judge ruled that the case rested on circumstantial evidence. Fight for his release from jail crime Netflix Series was released back in 2018, and temporary. Tommy Ward one of the subjects of Netflixs true-crime docuseries The Innocent Man, who was convicted of abduction, rape and the murder of an Oklahoma woman is to be released from prison (where he was sentenced to life) and all charges against him dismissed, Wards legal team announced Saturday. Tommy Ward - YouTube U.S. Supreme Court declines to hear 'Innocent Man' case Tuesday, July 6th 2021, 11:00 pm. The Oklahoma attorney general is appealing the ruling. Oklahoma seeks to uphold the murder conviction of Karl Fontenot in the murder of Donna "Denice" Haraway. Please refer to our. The. 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. The Court of Criminal Appeals ruled Thursday, Jan. 7, 2021 that 60-year-old Tommy Ward remain imprisoned while the state appeals the lower court's ruling. Back in December a Ponotoc County judge overturned Wards conviction saying prosecutors withheld evidence in the case. She said police and prosecutors withheld evidence that would have assisted Wards defense. You can opt-out at any time. All rights reserved. Additional reporting by The Associated Press. In addition to his impressive performances, Ward has a true passion for music and the arts. The judge said newly discovered evidence about Fontenots alibi and other suspects in the murder provided solid proof of his probable innocence. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and filming for Halloween Ends to release on October 14, 2022 with! Tommy Ward, 61, and Karl Fontenot, 58, were . 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. 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. 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 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.. 37 years since Ada murder, Ward still in custody - KTEN 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. Fontenot, Wards co-defendant, was ordered released by a federal judge in 2019, and the state is also appealing that order. The convictions were based almost entirely on accounts they said they retrieved from dreams. - STEVE WYNN, founder Wynn Resorts "I just saw Tommy in Las Vegas at a corporate event and I was BLOWN AWAY. 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. 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. Fontenot was released from prison after a federal judge in Oklahoma ruled in 2019 that the state committed numerous constitutional violations. Appears the state will retry Karl Fontenot, who was released 2 years ago and subject of #netflix special. 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. We cant do it without your support. We promise to never spam you. Create a free profile to get unlimited access to exclusive videos, breaking news, sweepstakes, and more! Ward remains in prison as the Oklahoma Court of Criminal Appeals weighs his case. sharing the stories, pictures and loves of Oklahomans across our great state. Also Read: 'The Innocent Man': Netflix Sets December Launch for Docuseries Based on John Grisham Book. We promise to never spam you. 7726 5241 Dial by your location +1 346 248 7799 US Are allowed finish! 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 Oklahoma attorney general is appealing the ruling. 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. State asks U.S. Supreme Court to uphold conviction in 'Innocent Man' Tommy Ward. info@tommywardmusic.com | Privacy Policy | Terms of Use. 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.. Court Rules 'Innocent Man' Defendant to Remain Imprisoned 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. have asked the court of appeals . 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. "Tommy is the epitome of great music. Keep up-to-date with everything that happens in your world. 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. The Oklahoma Court of Criminal Appeals on Friday reinstated Tommy Ward's murder conviction in an infamous 1984 case out of Ada. 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. Create your free profile and get access to exclusive content. The attorney generals office now has 20 days to respond. Fontenot has been released pending a decision from the United States 10th Circuit Court of Appeals. That evidence includes previously undisclosed suspects and whether police provided Ward with information about the victim's blouse, which prosecutors said he had described. Coverage of the latest true crime stories and famous cases explained, as well as the best TV shows, movies and podcasts in the genre. 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 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. 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. Tommy Ward has been in prison for 35 years and was supposed to be released today after a judge dismissed Ward's murder conviction. The Official YouTube Channel of Tommy Ward. The 10th U.S. Ward remained in prison while the state appealed the ruling, The Associated Press reported at the time. 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 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. Attorneys For Tommy Ward 'The Innocent Man' Continue Fight For His Release From Jail. More:Oklahoma Army veteran gets probation for role in Jan. 6 US Capitol riot. Forget Me Not EP available now on all major platforms. 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 judge found Tommy Ward didnt get a fair trial. (Oklahoma Department of Corrections via AP), Connect with the definitive source for global and local news. Attorneys representing Tommy Ward continue to fight for his release from jail. Tommy Ward is still behind bars waiting for an appeal. 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. What Happened To Tommy Ward And Karl Fontenot? 'The Innocent Man Federal appeals court upholds overturned conviction in Ada 'Innocent Subscribe for the latest music videos, performances, and more!Tommy's new album "From This Moment On" available n. In a 2017 interview with The Marshall Project, the author discussed their fates. The victim, Donna Denice Haraway, disappeared from the McAnally's convenience store in Ada on April 28, 1984. To the extent that this could be the next Sinatra of our time." @WardInnocentMan. Ward was convicted in the case in 1989 along with a co-defendant named Karl Fontenot. Attorneys representing Tommy Ward continue to fight for his release from jail. Ward was featured in the Netflix. 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. "They said I had a choice to write it or tape it. Last week, a Pontotoc County District Court judge ordered Tommy Ward be released from prison. 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. 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. 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'. Fontenots lawyers at first waived the right to respond to the state, but the Supreme Court then requested a response. Newson6.com is proud to provide Oklahomans with timely and relevant news and information, Ada store clerk Denice Haraway was abducted and killed on April 28, 1984. . Tommy Ward from Netflix documentary has murder conviction reinstated Attorneys representing Tommy Ward continue to fight for his release from jail. 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. This is new info, and were trying to figure what this means right now. In both Ward and Fontenots cases, judges issued rulings excoriating investigators for withholding favorable evidence from defense attorneys. When you read their briefs, they dont take issue with the fact that this information was withheld from him. 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. Fontenot was released in December 2019 at the age of 55 after a federal judge ordered he be released or retried. 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. Keep up-to-date with everything that happens in your world. Barrett noted that the appeals court ordered the lower court to consider an additional claim regarding new evidence discovered in 2019. Both Ward and . She doesnt believe he could be given a fair trial after more than 30 years. Oklahoma court reinstates 'Innocent Man' murder conviction He is now 58 years old and says he will not admit guilt even if it means improving his chances at parole. He often uses his platform to raise awareness for various charitable causes and uses his talents to give back to his community. Ward's attorney, Mark Barrett, will also be filing an appeal for exoneration. The state Attorney Generals office appealed the order to overturn Fontenots conviction in federal court and has now announced its intent to appeal the order to release Ward. The Innocent Man - Tommy Ward and Karl Fontenot now - Digital Spy Though no physical evidence tied them to Haraways disappearance, Fontenot and Ward initially confessed to the crime after questioning by investigators. Tommy Ward has been in prison 35 years for a murder he swears he did not commit. . Back in December a Ponotoc County judge overturned Wards conviction saying prosecutors withheld evidence in the case. I agree with TheWrap's Terms of Service and Privacy Policy and provide my consent to receive marketing communications from them. Fontenot is currently awaiting the results of a federal appeal. 19 talking about this. 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. Ward is the subject of a Netflix docuseries and a book by John Grisham. 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. Fontenots conviction was overturned in 2019, and he was freed pending an appeal by the state. Please refer to our. 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. Fontenot was sentenced to death again but Ward was sentenced to life in prison, according to The Oklahoman. The state court of criminal appeals voted unanimously to reinstate Tommy Ward's murder conviction. Oxygen Insider is your all-access pass to never-before-seen content, free digital evidence kits, and much more! A state judge overturned Wards conviction in 2020, but the Oklahoma Attorney Generals Office has appealed the ruling. 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 newly released EP "From This Moment On," (2022) produced by LeCoq Records, showcases his stunning vocal abilities . Donate to The Frontier to support local independent investigative journalism. 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. Haraways body was located after the convictions. YOU'VE REACHED YOUR MONTHLY ARTICLE LIMIT. Link your TV provider to stream full episodes and live TV. More to come. Which they did after I taped the statement," Fontenot said almost immediately after his interrogation, as described in Grisham's book. John 3:16. Tommy Ward - YouTube 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. Ward's case was the focus of the Netflix documentary "The Innocent Man, " which was released in 2018. More damningly, Haraway had not been been stabbed as the young men had described. More to come. Start your Independent Premium subscription today. Heres a link to the decision, Mark Barrett & The Center on Wrongful Convictions tweeted, with the legal documents confirming the move attached.