ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — An Orange County millionaire once convicted of killing his wife is fighting to get out prison bond while a new trial is scheduled.
Bob Ward, 69, of Isleworth, was found guilty in 2011 in the shooting death of his wife, Diane Ward. However, in February, a Florida appeals court overturned the second-degree murder conviction. The court found that his defense at the time made mistakes, like not objecting to some of the statements dealing with his right to remain silent.
While Ward awaits a new trial, his attorneys asked a judge Thursday to have Ward released on a $100,000 bond.
His attorneys argue he’s not a flight risk and will agree to wear a GPS monitor. His daughters said if their father is released they'll look after him.
State prosecutors and defense attorneys debated Ward's finances. His daughter has a trust that is being used to pay for some of his defense. However no one can answer how much is in the trust and some argue that is a huge factor in the judge determining if Ward is a flight risk.
The judge said Thursday she needs more time before she makes a decision. The judge said she wanted to read more transcripts from the 2011 trial and wanted more information about his finances.
Bob Ward told investigators that he and his wife were arguing in their home in 2009 when a gun went off, hitting Diane Ward in the face and killing her.
"I just shot my wife, I just shot my wife,” Bob Ward said in a recorded 911 call. “I just shot my wife. She’s dead. She’s done. I’m sorry.”
Ward later told investigators that his wife pulled the trigger while he was trying to wrestle the gun away from her.
Cox Media Group
