Changes

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.

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 knives 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.