Denice Haraway of Ada, Oklahoma went in for an ordinary day of work at her convenience store job on April 28, 1984. Fontenot is free on bond as the appeals process plays out. Donate to The Frontier to support local independent investigative 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. Share The judge found Tommy Ward didnt get a fair trial. The judge said newly discovered evidence about Fontenots alibi and other suspects in the murder provided solid proof of his probable innocence. The Court of Criminal Appeals ordered Tommy Ward, 60, to remain imprisoned while the state appeals the lower courts ruling that he be released. Tommy's legal team dedicated to freeing Tommy Ward from prison for a crime he did not commit.. All rights reserved. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and filming for Halloween Ends to release on October 14, 2022 with! We are pressing forward exploring the possibility of going to federal court with additional appeals, Barrett said. Oct 28, 2022. 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. But now, Wards release has been blocked by the state Attorney Generals Office. Ward has also had a widely celebrated opening act run for comedy legend Louie Anderson during his tenure at the Plaza Hotel. Tommy Ward to be set free . 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. That evidence includes previously undisclosed suspects and whether police provided Ward with information about the victim's blouse, which prosecutors said he had described. So thats the reason I gave them an untrue statement so they would leave me alone.. 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. I received Christmas cards last week from both Tommy Ward and Karl Fontenot, so we keep in touch," Grisham said. She said police and prosecutors withheld evidence that would have assisted Wards defense. The victim, Donna Denice Haraway, disappeared from the McAnally's convenience store in Ada on April 28, 1984. . Ward's case, and others, have been the. 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. Tuesday, they filed a brief with the Oklahoma Court of Criminal Appeals. 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. Attorneys representing Tommy Ward continue to fight for his release from jail. attempted to take on Fontenot's case in 2013, a 2017 interview with The Marshall Project. Ward was featured in the Netflix. 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. Both are model prisoners. 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.. 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. Want to support our mission to hold powerful people accountable, give a voice to the voiceless, and shine a light on darkness in Oklahoma? 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. Wards attorneys said its far too late for Ward to receive a fair trial. Barrett noted that the appeals court ordered the lower court to consider an additional claim regarding new evidence discovered in 2019. Oklahoma seeks to uphold the murder conviction of Karl Fontenot in the murder of Donna "Denice" Haraway. and his videos on social media have racked up millions of views. He reminds me of working with Frank Sinatra in some strange way." have asked the court of appeals . 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. Ada store clerk Denice Haraway was abducted and killed on April 28, 1984. . ADVERTISEMENT Both have excellent teams of lawyers who continue to work for their release.. Karl Fontenot, Tommy Ward. SIGN UP FOR OUR FREE DAILY NEWSLETTER, FIRST TAKE, 'The Innocent Man': Netflix Sets December Launch for Docuseries Based on John Grisham Book. It was later upheld when the U.S. Supreme Court declined to hear the state's appeal. remains wrongfully imprisoned . This is new info, and were trying to figure what this means right now. 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. The Oklahoma Court of Criminal Appeals on Friday reinstated Tommy Ward's murder conviction in an infamous 1984 case out of Ada. As a nonprofit news organization,The Frontieris funded by tax-deductible donations made by people who support quality journalism. They cant. 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. 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. The Official YouTube Channel of Tommy Ward. The organization has not offered an update on the status of their efforts. More damningly, Haraway had not been been stabbed as the young men had described. Tuesday, they filed a brief with the Oklahoma Court of Criminal Appeals. Fontenot has been released pending a decision from the United States 10th Circuit Court of Appeals. Though no physical evidence tied them to Haraways disappearance, Fontenot and Ward initially confessed to the crime after questioning by investigators. 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. - STEVE WYNN, founder Wynn Resorts "I just saw Tommy in Las Vegas at a corporate event and I was BLOWN AWAY. In addition to his impressive performances, Ward has a true passion for music and the arts. His conviction is the subject of the Netflix docu-series "The . 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. Back in December a Ponotoc County judge overturned Wards conviction saying prosecutors withheld evidence in the case. Attorneys For Tommy Ward 'The Innocent Man' Continue Fight For His Release From Jail. "Everything about their confession has been proven wrong by the discovery of the body," attorney Janet Davis noted in the documentary. But the men quickly recanted and have claimed for decades that police coerced them to say they killed Haraway. "They said I had a choice to write it or tape it. In June this year, the US Supreme Court refused to take up the case and to examine the states appeal. Please refer to our. 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. Fontenot's case was picked up by The Innocence Project in 2011, but there's . 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. Tommy has been recommended for parole at least twice, but turned down by the board in Oklahoma. Ward's attorney, Mark Barrett, will also be filing an appeal for exoneration. OK man arrested for. 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'. The only evidence the state used in convicting Ward was a confession that he later claimed was spun wildly from a dream he reported, and only came out after intense pressure and hours of brutal interrogation. 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. Tommy Ward is a critically acclaimed singer and entertainer from Las Vegas who has a deep love and appreciation for legendary musicians and crooners. 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. 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 Court of Criminal Appeals ordered Tommy Ward, 60, to remain imprisoned while the state appeals the lower court's ruling that he be released. Get all your true crime news from Oxygen. Thomas Ward, known to the public as Tommy Ward, was convicted in 1999 of the 1984 murder of Donna Denice Haraway in Ada, Oklahoma. News9.com is proud to provide Oklahomans with timely and relevant news and information, He is currently serving time at the Dick Conner Correctional Center in Hominy in Oklahoma. The convictions were based almost entirely on accounts they said they retrieved from dreams. Breaking news: Judge orders Tommy released and vacates his conviction. By: Dana Hertneky. Create a free profile to get unlimited access to exclusive videos, breaking news, sweepstakes, and more! Subscribe and Follow on Facebook and YouTube for the latest music. Attorneys representing Tommy Ward continue to fight for his release from jail. To the extent that this could be the next Sinatra of our time." 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 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. Back in December a Ponotoc County judge overturned Wards conviction saying prosecutors withheld evidence in the case. Oklahoma seeks to uphold the murder conviction of Karl Fontenot in the murder of Donna Denice Haraway. 2022 Reader's Choice Winners . Link your TV provider to stream full episodes and live TV. Fontenot is currently awaiting the results of a federal appeal. Position: WR Height: 6-0 Weight: 190 College: Rutgers Hometown: Canton, PA High School: Canton HS However, she would never be seen alive again. 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. 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. 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. mail Local prosecutors again secured their convictions, based largely on their confessions. Both Ward and . The Official YouTube Channel of Tommy Ward. The Oklahoma attorney general is appealing the ruling. Ward was convicted in the case in 1989 along with a co-defendant named Karl Fontenot. An autopsy showed evidence that she had been shot and no sign that she had been stabbed, per The AP. He is 54 years old and is being held at the at the North Fork Correctional Center in Sayre in Oklahoma. 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. Keep up-to-date with everything that happens in your world. 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 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. 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 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. 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. 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. Fontenot was released from prison after a federal judge in Oklahoma ruled in 2019 that the state committed numerous constitutional violations. 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. Heres a link to the decision, Mark Barrett & The Center on Wrongful Convictions tweeted, with the legal documents confirming the move attached. 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. 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. - QUINCY JONES, 27 time GRAMMY-award-winning producer "A fine singer A lovely, silky voice." 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 most recent exculpatory disclosure came in 2019, 31 years after Fontenots conviction.. Additional reporting by The Associated Press. Fontenot has been released pending a decision from the United States 10th Circuit Court of Appeals. 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! The state also claims witnesses saw men matching Ward and Fontenots descriptions in the convenience store where Haraway worked before she disappeared. Fontenot was released from prison after a federal judge in Oklahoma ruled in 2019 that the state committed numerous constitutional violations. But one day before Ward's release, a temporary stay,. The judge said newly discovered evidence about Fontenot's alibi and other suspects in the murder provided "solid proof" of his probable innocence. 2023 www.oklahoman.com. Fontenots and Wards attorneys did not respond to requests for comment. Fontenot, Wards co-defendant, was ordered released by a federal judge in 2019, and the state is also appealing that order. Subscribe for the latest music videos, performances, and more!Tommy's new album "From This Moment On" available n. Tuesday, they filed a brief with the Oklahoma Court of Criminal . 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.