ORANGE COUNTY, Fla.,None — Lawyers for millionaire Bob Ward fought to keep a potentially damaging video out of his murder trial on Thursday. The court reviewed FDLE gunpowder tests, jailhouse videos showing Ward dancing, Ward's interview with investigators and the medical examiner's statements.
RAW VIDEO: Jailhouse Visit Part 1 | Part 2 RAW AUDIO: Ward's Phone Call To Sister-In-Law
Ward is accused of shooting and killing his wife Diane inside their Isleworth mansion in 2009.
Circuit Judge Jennifer Davis ruled that medical examiner Dr. Jan Garavaglia cannot tell the jury that women don't kill themselves by shooting themselves in the face. She did not rule on anything else.
"If the idea is women don't commit suicide this way, I'm going to prohibit that," she said.
Ward's jailhouse video visits have been controversial since they were released to the public. In them, Ward, his daughter and sister-in-law joke, laugh and show little emotion about the death of Diane Ward.
I'm not worried. I just want to get out of this nasty cell. This place hasn't been cleaned in I can't tell you when," said Ward in the video.
"I'll definitely get on housekeeping for that," replied his sister-in-law in the video.
The defense argued on Thursday that a Florida Department of Law Enforcement gunshot residue test should be thrown out.
Prosecutors believe it shows Ward shot his wife.
Ward initially said he shot her, but then changed his story, claiming she killed herself.
Either way, the reactions from all parties in the jailhouse video could be interpreted as remorseless; although, Ward did say this, "We both had such a wonderful person in mom and I just can't believe she's not her."
Attorneys defending Ward did not want a jury to see him dancing around in jail days after he was arrested for his wife's murder.
Prosecutors said they won't use it, but want to show the jury Ward's demeanor when he talked to investigators shortly afterward
Ward's trial is scheduled to start next month.
Previous Stories: March 21, 2011: Murder Suspect Wants Permission To Travel To Make Money March 9, 2011: Statements Tossed Out In Isleworth Murder Case February 16, 2011: Isleworth Millionaire May Have To Pay For Jail Stay February 4, 2011: Doctor's Testimony To Be Used To Defend Isleworth Millionaire December 16, 2010: Judge Withholds Ruling In Isleworth Murder Case December 1, 2010: Evidence Shows Isleworth Murder Suspect's DNA On Gun October 8, 2010: Millionaire Murder Suspect Wants Statements Tossed