Difference between revisions of "Brandon Ward"

From Pensapedia, the Pensacola encyclopedia
Jump to navigation Jump to search
(Undo revision 9307 by Admin (Talk))
(Convicted by a jury means you can't rewrite the story. He was convicted of murder, not of holding a knife that an attacker fell on. Let's hear your point of view on the talk page.)
Line 6: Line 6:
  
 
==Party and killings==
 
==Party and killings==
On the [[June 24|night before]] the incident, Ward, 19, attended an [[East Milton]] party with Sparling, 16. The two became separated at the party. Ward fought and wrestled with other attendees, while Sparling became the subject of aggressive sexual advances by one of the party's hosts, [[Nick Cote]]. According to Sparling's testimony, she "gave in" to the advances because "it felt good."<ref name="teen">"Teen changes story." ''Pensacola News Journal'', May 22, 2007.</ref> When Ward discovered Nick Cote attacking his girlfriend, he came to her rescue. Ward was ejected from the party, by several partygoers, to include convicted Felon Shane Gavaghan, after Sparling told partygoers that he struck her. Though her story was corroborated by other witnesses, she later testified that it was a fabrication to conceal her embarrassment.
+
On the [[June 24|night before]] the incident, Ward, 20, attended an [[East Milton]] party with Sparling, 16. The two became separated at the party. Ward fought and wrestled with other attendees, while Sparling became the subject of aggressive sexual advances by one of the party's hosts, [[Nick Cote]]. According to Sparling's testimony, she "gave in" to the advances because "it felt good."<ref name="teen">"Teen changes story." ''Pensacola News Journal'', May 22, 2007.</ref> When Ward discovered the pair engaged in a sex act, he became enraged. Ward was ejected from the party after Sparling told partygoers that he struck her. Though her story was corroborated by other witnesses, she later testified that it was a fabrication to conceal her embarrassment.
  
 
Ward testified that, as he drove back to Sparling's home, he received several threatening cell phone calls from partygoers.<ref name="scared">"I was scared to death." ''Pensacola News Journal'', May 23, 2007.</ref>
 
Ward testified that, as he drove back to Sparling's home, he received several threatening cell phone calls from partygoers.<ref name="scared">"I was scared to death." ''Pensacola News Journal'', May 23, 2007.</ref>
  
After being comforted by others at the party,she was driven to her [[Munson Highway]] home by Ruinato, Hall and another teenage girl(Lacey Moores). When they arrived, Ward's car was present though Ward was no where to be seen. Hall saw Ward standing by his car and approached Ward yelling and cursing. As Hall ran towards him to attack him with a knife and a straight razor, Ruinato ran around to attack from the side with Brass Knuckles. When Hall(who out weighs Ward by over 100 lbs) got close enough Ward produced a butterfly knife,in hopes that Hall would back off, after Hall attacked Ward,by punching him in the side of the head, Ward used defensive strikes to get Hall off of him, and ended up cutting him in the arm and abdomen. Hall continued to come forward and fell on the knife and received a fatal injury to the chest. As Ward was going to get help Ruinato came from behind and attacked Ward, again Ward used evasive strikes and Ruinato received three cuts.
+
After being comforted by others at the party, Sparling was driven to her [[Munson Highway]] home by Ruinato, Hall and another teenage girl, [[Lacey Moores]]. When they arrived, Ward's car was present. A fight ensued, during which Ward produced a butterfly knife and stabbed both Hall and Ruinato three times. (A major issue of contention at Ward's subsequent [[#Trial|trial]] was whether the stabbings were unprovoked or in self-defense.) Hall was pronounced dead at the scene from the injuries.
  
 
==Trial==
 
==Trial==
Line 17: Line 17:
 
Attorney [[Leo Thomas]] defended Ward under Florida's "[[Stand Your Ground]]" law, passed on [[October 1]], [[2005]], on the grounds that Ward regularly stayed at Sparling's house and was justified in using deadly force. "This is a tragedy for everyone involved. There's no question about it," Thomas said. "But the evidence will show it was an honest case of self-defense."<ref>"'I thought he punched me.'" ''Pensacola News Journal'', May 16, 2007.</ref>
 
Attorney [[Leo Thomas]] defended Ward under Florida's "[[Stand Your Ground]]" law, passed on [[October 1]], [[2005]], on the grounds that Ward regularly stayed at Sparling's house and was justified in using deadly force. "This is a tragedy for everyone involved. There's no question about it," Thomas said. "But the evidence will show it was an honest case of self-defense."<ref>"'I thought he punched me.'" ''Pensacola News Journal'', May 16, 2007.</ref>
  
Thomas portrayed the fatal altercation as being instigated by Hall and Ruinato, citing the former's MySpace page — which had the address "joehallwillkillyourfamily"<ref>http://myspace.com/joehallwillkillyourfamily</ref> and featured a violent music video by the band Waking the Cadaver<ref>"Networking sites play new rols in legal battles." ''Pensacola News Journal'', July 19, 2007.</ref> — as an alleged indicator of Hall's violent tendencies. The prosecution claimed that Ward was hiding in the bushes when the others arrived, and that the stabbings were unprovoked.
+
Thomas portrayed the fatal altercation as being instigated by Hall and Ruinato, citing the former's MySpace page — which had the address "joehallwillkillyourfamily"<ref>http://myspace.com/joehallwillkillyourfamily</ref> and featured a violent music video by the band Waking the Cadaver<ref>"Networking sites play new rols in legal battles." ''Pensacola News Journal'', July 19, 2007.</ref> — as an alleged indicator of Hall's violent tendencies. Prosecutors argued that the attacks were unprovoked, citing testimony from witness Lacey Moores, who said Ward had been hiding in the bushes before emerging and stabbing the two men. This contradicted her initial sworn statement in which she claimed Hall and Ruinato "ran after" Ward.<ref>"Ward said 'he had messed up.'" ''Pensacola News Journal'', May 17, 2007.</ref>
  
A jury found Ward guilty on [[May 24]], [[2007]]. On [[July 19]], [[2007]], Ward was sentenced by Circuit Court Judge [[Ron Swanson]] to serve life in prison for the murder of Hall.  He received an additional 25-year sentence for the attempted murder of Ruinato, which Ward will serve concurrently.<ref>"Ward gets life" ''Pensacola News Journal'', July 19, 2007.</ref>
+
A jury found Ward guilty on [[May 24]], [[2007]].<ref>"Ward guilty." ''Pensacola News Journal'', May 25, 2007.</ref> On [[July 19]], [[2007]], Ward was sentenced by Circuit Court Judge [[Ron Swanson]] to serve life in prison for the murder of Hall.  He received an additional 25-year sentence for the attempted murder of Ruinato, which Ward will serve concurrently.<ref>"Ward gets life" ''Pensacola News Journal'', July 19, 2007.</ref>
  
 
==References==
 
==References==
{{reflist}}
+
{{reflist|2}}
  
 
[[Category:Murderers|Ward, Brandon]]
 
[[Category:Murderers|Ward, Brandon]]

Revision as of 08:46, 20 March 2008

Brandon Ward

Brandon Michael Ward is a former U.S. Marine convicted of second-degree murder and attempted second-degree murder for a June 25, 2006 incident in which he stabbed two men, Joseph Hall and Joseph Ruinato. Hall died from the injuries. Ward was sentenced to life in prison on July 19, 2007.

Background

Ward began dating Samantha Sparling, four years his junior, when he was in San Diego for basic training. When Ward was transferred to northwest Florida, Sparling moved to Milton to live with her mother. Ward stayed at her house on weekends.

Party and killings

On the night before the incident, Ward, 20, attended an East Milton party with Sparling, 16. The two became separated at the party. Ward fought and wrestled with other attendees, while Sparling became the subject of aggressive sexual advances by one of the party's hosts, Nick Cote. According to Sparling's testimony, she "gave in" to the advances because "it felt good."[1] When Ward discovered the pair engaged in a sex act, he became enraged. Ward was ejected from the party after Sparling told partygoers that he struck her. Though her story was corroborated by other witnesses, she later testified that it was a fabrication to conceal her embarrassment.

Ward testified that, as he drove back to Sparling's home, he received several threatening cell phone calls from partygoers.[2]

After being comforted by others at the party, Sparling was driven to her Munson Highway home by Ruinato, Hall and another teenage girl, Lacey Moores. When they arrived, Ward's car was present. A fight ensued, during which Ward produced a butterfly knife and stabbed both Hall and Ruinato three times. (A major issue of contention at Ward's subsequent trial was whether the stabbings were unprovoked or in self-defense.) Hall was pronounced dead at the scene from the injuries.

Trial

Ward's trial began on May 14, 2007.

Attorney Leo Thomas defended Ward under Florida's "Stand Your Ground" law, passed on October 1, 2005, on the grounds that Ward regularly stayed at Sparling's house and was justified in using deadly force. "This is a tragedy for everyone involved. There's no question about it," Thomas said. "But the evidence will show it was an honest case of self-defense."[3]

Thomas portrayed the fatal altercation as being instigated by Hall and Ruinato, citing the former's MySpace page — which had the address "joehallwillkillyourfamily"[4] and featured a violent music video by the band Waking the Cadaver[5] — as an alleged indicator of Hall's violent tendencies. Prosecutors argued that the attacks were unprovoked, citing testimony from witness Lacey Moores, who said Ward had been hiding in the bushes before emerging and stabbing the two men. This contradicted her initial sworn statement in which she claimed Hall and Ruinato "ran after" Ward.[6]

A jury found Ward guilty on May 24, 2007.[7] On July 19, 2007, Ward was sentenced by Circuit Court Judge Ron Swanson to serve life in prison for the murder of Hall. He received an additional 25-year sentence for the attempted murder of Ruinato, which Ward will serve concurrently.[8]

References

  1. "Teen changes story." Pensacola News Journal, May 22, 2007.
  2. "I was scared to death." Pensacola News Journal, May 23, 2007.
  3. "'I thought he punched me.'" Pensacola News Journal, May 16, 2007.
  4. http://myspace.com/joehallwillkillyourfamily
  5. "Networking sites play new rols in legal battles." Pensacola News Journal, July 19, 2007.
  6. "Ward said 'he had messed up.'" Pensacola News Journal, May 17, 2007.
  7. "Ward guilty." Pensacola News Journal, May 25, 2007.
  8. "Ward gets life" Pensacola News Journal, July 19, 2007.