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Orange County millionaire awaiting new trial in wife's killing bonds out of jail

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — An Orange County millionaire once convicted of killing his wife has bonded out of the Orange County Jail Wednesday.

A judge last week granted Bob Ward, 69, a $1 million bail after reviewing his trust information. His attorneys argued last month that he should be given a $100,000 bail.

Ward was found guilty in 2011 in the 2009 shooting death of his wife, Diane Ward, at the couple's mansion in Orange County's Isleworth neighborhood. He was sentenced to 30 years in prison.

In February, a Florida appeals court overturned the second-degree murder conviction. The court found that Ward's former defense team made mistakes during the trial, including submitting inadmissible evidence.

During last month’s bail hearing, the judge said she needed more time before she could make a decision, and wanted to read more transcripts from the 2011 trial.

She also wanted more information about his finances, which became a contentious issue.

A motion released last Friday said the judge found no evidence that Ward is a flight risk and that he had complied with all previous bail conditions set by the court. It also noted he has no prior criminal history.

Ward will have to stay in Orange County unless he has the courts approval. He also must check in with his probation officer every week.

Ward's trial has been set for later this year.