Karl Fontenot and Tommy Ward Deserve Attention and Need Help - Contact Their Attorney Here With Information or Tips

The content of The Innocent Man by Grisham serves as a matrix to what has been occurring with regularity in the US and England, and no doubt elsewhere, for at least decades, probably much longer.  We here in Michigan, through the auspices of Humanity For Prisoners (formerly INNOCENT!) and contiguous efforts by individuals, deal with the selfsame syndrome daily, that is, as Grisham stipulates, "bad police work, junk science, faulty eyewitness identifications, bad defense lawyers, lazy/arrogant prosecutors".  Add to this planted and destroyed evidence, perjury and malicious prosecution and you have the repetitive scenario, the matrix for wrongful conviction.  "The Dreams of Ada" (as yet unread here) is an ongoing pledge by Barry Scheck and others of The Innocence Project to free two prisoners subjected to the selfsame rigors as experienced by the two exonerated men described in The Innocent Man.  These two men (Dreams of Ada) remain in prison with life sentences and yet are known to have been framed.  No DNA evidence exists to free them. -Mitchell Jon MacKay, author, Lisa's Story, The Interrupted Life of Petoskey, Michigan's First Female Police Officer, 1998;  Johnny Heartache, the Songwriter's Guide to Music City, 2004. 

Surely there is something someone can do? How on earth are the likes of Peterson and Smith and Rogers and the rest put in charge of any kind of investigation. There behavior is damn right awful and they are just as much murderers as the real killers of Debbie Carter and Denice Harraway, as they have thrown away the lives of 4 young men and waisted them in prison. I have been shocked to the core at discovering this grim and disgraceful story of injustice!!!

Karl Fontenot is my pen pal, we have been writing just over a year.

Karl and Tommy were on death row until their sentences were commuted. Tommy was commuted to life with the possibilty of parol and Karl got LWOP. I have no idea why Tommy got the lesser of the two.

If you want to help Karl and Tommy you could start by writing a letter to Governor Henry. And to their attorney. Both contacts are below.

Contact Governor Henry
2300 N. Lincoln Blvd,
   Room 212
Oklahoma City, OK 73105
Phone: 405-521-2342
Fax: 405-521-3353

Mark Barrett  Attorney

111 North Peters Avenue Suite 200

Norman, OK  73069

(405)364-8367       

Fax : (405)366-8329

Don't let these men rot in prison. Repost these address' anywhere and every where you can.

Thanks,

Kathy

I´ve just read the book of John Grisham and I was so sad and I felt totaly helpless, because no one can help these two men (Tommy and Karl)! How can such a mistake not be corrected?? Everyone knows that they couldn´t have done the crime. Two authors wrote a book about "the dreams of Ada" and it couldn´t help anything!

How does this system work?? I can´t understand it. And I only can hope that in early time Tommy and Karl get free - and Mr. Peterson, Dennis Smith and all the others they brought them to jail, can never sleep one more night without nightmares and they should never be happy at any day of their lifes.

I have read "Dreams of Ada" and am now halfway through "An Innocent Man" and even an everyday person can see that these boys were railroaded.  There is one part in the book "Dreams of Ada" that no one ever explained and I to this day wonder if it ever got noticed.

The fact that Karl said something about the tailgate of the truck and yet in another part of the book in plainly states there was no tailgate on the truck in question.  You can poke all kind of holes in the defense and the police work done against these two men.  I agree that they have been set up to take the fall for a real killer just like Ron Williamson was.  I hope some justice can eventually be found for them too.

Julee Cormier

Kinder, Louisiana

Can't the govenor or president pardon them?

How can something like this happen, and how can it be that no one is doing anything about it.  Just imagine it is you, locked up in prison knowing you didn't commit any crime.  I'm from Belgium and I can only hope nothing like this will ever happen to me or to one of my kids.Please anyone in charge help them.

I have heard people say 'the law is an ass' and I have to say after reading about Tommy and Karl I agree. I dont know much about law but I know what is right, and what is not right is the continued incaceration of these two men. I know that there is somebody somewhere who has the power to listen to this miscarriage of justice and rectify it. Whoever you are what are you waiting for?

Hello,

Just finished reading The Innocent man by John Grisham last nite and i was so moved by the whole story. My heart went out to tommy and Karl thats why i'm here today.

One thing i have been wondering is if John Grisham was allowed to publish his book then its content must be accurate coz he names people in high places like Peterson.

he said he researched for 18months so why not start from where Grisham's research stops on tommy and Karl?

Why can't Peterson, Smith, Rogers and all involed been interrogated maybe even the same methods applied to them lets see if they won't break when the same pain is inflicted on them.

The Innocent man was published in 2006, Peterson should have been relieved of his duties pending further investigation.

Tommy and karl should also be put maybe under house arrest pending investigation coz the state may not be buying the story. Then again, don't the voices of the people matter coz some many cry for the fredom of these men.

Its a shame such athing can happen in America, that means in developing countries like Uganda where i come from its happening hundred times over coz America is a model country for us.

Please let these men see sunshine again as investigations go on. the minor fact that their confessions donot add up with the facts should count for something.

Kathy, glad to hear you write to Karl, I also have written him some over the past few years, but not lately.  My brother was in prison with Tommy for awhile and said he believes they are innocent!  Everyone is WRONG, there may be DNA evidence if anyone would care to test the jacket that was found under a rock near Denice's remains!  Tommy has been trying for years to get them to test it!!! This evidence should be in the OSBI's warehouse in Tahlequah, Ok. !!!!  That is unless someone destroyed it!  I have contacted  authorities  over the years about a man now in his early 60's who I believe to be  a very possible suspect in this case and even in other missing and murdered young women's cases but no one will even try to investigate this party.  I have been doing research for 20 years about missing and murdered girls and young women in this state as well as other states where this man has been or traveled to.  He could very well be another Ted Bundy!!!!  Although he is not as suave  as Bundy was!  I have even put my family in danger by talking to people about him!!!  My hope is that he will be sent to prison for something else that he is involved in (I can't discuss here).  I think of Tommy and Karl almost every day and wish I could prove their innocence because I am 100o/o sure they were victims of  false confessions etc. I admire Grisham for his book "The Innocent Man" in which he discusses Tommy and Karls case,  but HE should have mentioned the jacket and the need to have it tested for DNA, because The Innocence Project will only get involved IF there is something to test for DNA.  Tell Karl that I haven't forgotten him!!! Thanx

Hi Douglas,

My name is Barbara from the blog "Barbars' Journey Toward Justice". Please use my contact information on my blog to contact me. I have something to tell you. Thanks

I just read John Grisham's book "An Innocent Man". As everyone else on this blog I  appalled at the injustice served upon these men. I also can not believe that Peterson and his cronies on the Ada police department have not been brought up on charges of corruption, falsifying evidence, illegal interrogation practices etc etc.

I believe if Jon Grisham reported the facts and named people in his book, he must have substantial evidence to back up what he was saying as truth, I do not believe he would risk having a libel suit brought against him. It does amaze me that someone with authority such as the govenor of OK has not looked into the situation and exonerated these men. What an atrocity it is that in this country we actually have innocent people in prison.

I really hope and pray the comment made on this blog by Douglas is true and he has some information as to the real murderer's identity which would free Tommy and Karl.

what other things could be done to bring attention to this matter? let me know how to get involved as I would really like to help.

This is such a true statement! My brother has been in prison for 15 years for a murder he did not commit. He was such a easy target. no evidence just the word of two thugs. Now some family memebers of the actual murderer are coming forth 15 years later to tell what they know. Mark Barrett was one of my brothers lawyers. He always believed in my brother but there is only so mucha lawyer can do and somebody has to do the time! We are hoping it will go back to court although if my brother is set free i don't know how he will adjust to the outside due to all the mentally tourment he has endured over the years.

My brother has been in prison for 15 years for a murder he did not commit. He was such a easy target. no evidence just the word of two thugs. Now some family memebers of the actual murderer are coming forth 15 years later to tell what they know. Mark Barrett was one of my brothers lawyers. He always believed in my brother but there is only so mucha lawyer can do and somebody has to do the time! We are hoping it will go back to court although if my brother is set free i don't know how he will adjust to the outside due to all the mentally tourment he has endured over the years.

How sad for Karl and Tommy And only because all the people involved in the system want to close the case they don't really care who they sentence to death

Why hasn't anybody checked more into Glen Gore. I feel from the book that he is the guilty part and he probably had something to do with both women.  I don't understand how he was so over looked.

I also read John Grisham's book "The Innocent Man"  I could not put down this book and I'm a slow reader but the feelings you have when you read this book and realize what these men went through and that there are many innocent people who are suffering now.   You realize what we take for granted everyday.   The sad part of this is all those years of suffering they endure and like Ron could not live a normal happy life after being freed.  Thank God there are people out there trying to free others that are truly innocent.  I hope that they can free Ward and Fontenot also and stop their suffering all these years.

I have just finished reading John Grisham's "The Innocent Man" and could not stop bawling my eyes out..  Poor Ron Williamson, to be stuck in prison on Death Row for all those years, then to finally be freed and then die five or so years later because of ill health.  My heart went out to him, and to poor Tommy and Karl, why can't something be done about this???? The law is most certainly an ass.  Karl and Tommy I most certainly hope that one day you both get out of prison.  My heart goes out to the both of you.  This story is most certainly one that everyone needs to hear about, and Bill Peterson should be fired.  The man obviously has some kind of personal vendetta against these poor innocent men!  

Is it not amazing that America thinks so highly of itself, that it tries to force its version of democracy all over the world while we can not even deal with our own problems here. Why doesn't someone look to righting wrongs sitting here under their nose instead of forcing what we believe to be right and just down others throats.

And shame on the people of Ada, these prosecuters and law officials work for you, you pay their taxes. You are supposed to be so holy with all of your churches why don't you do something real!!

hello...i just finished reaing "The Dreams Of Ada....my heart goes out to these boys...Why did they not do a DNA...am sure there is someone out there who has info. on the real murderer....or murderers...the police should have checked out all the people that were thought to be involved..they were quick to charge these boys..... ...am glad tommy reads his bible as for Karl...this is when he needs his family the most....i cannot believe they won"t have anything to do with him...very cruel i must add...so am praying they will be free one day and able to enjoy their life as free men....i live in canada..so kathy if you read this ...give a message to tommy and karl for me...tell him never ever give up...and am praying for them.Tell them not to be afraid and ask God out loud for their release...and God will hear them.....ty

As written in Dreams of Ada:  INNOCENT UNTIL PROVEN BROKE. If those young men came from "good" famillies the D.A. wouldn't have even interview them in the first place. I am not sure that the police and the D.A. think that Tommy and Karl are guilty, in fact I wonder if they don't know for a fact that they aren't since they have withdrawn some evidence, they might have are run into something they kept for themselves.    

I just finished reading "The Dreams of Ada" and I wanted Tommy and Karl to be guilty because of the nature of this terrible crime.  But I gotta be honest, I think they're innocent.  Neither one had much of a criminal record before the crime and they weren't smart enough to manipulate the system, like most career criminals are.

I   heard that the Da Peterson,is no longer  in office.The assitant DA Chris Ross,is the currley the acting DA.

There should be a special election held,to vote on the next DA.

However it is a known fact,that there are more offical's in office, by appointment in Oklahoma( and hold their offices for year's) without any election ever being held.This should not be allowed,yet is is the norm,of how it had been done inside Oklahoma.

Please,pray that the chrges will be dismissed against Karl and Tommy,before this years end?

Also please,pray ,that the offical's at the federal level,even that the new USA president will  

get in volved,

The power of prayer, does work.,we the people of the United States are being called to unit.Now let us all pray...

I like your idea about contacting, the govenor for Oklahoma.Let me add this idea;

For anyone who want's to help these two men, find out who the elected offical's are for Oklahoma,and were you live,and contact those elected officals also.

State Repersentives,Congressman,Senator,Govenor's,and even the US Presindent,newly evelected,and don't forget to ask your church and all others to pray?

I have also just finished reading John Grisham's book. I am so thoroughly dumbfounded, appalled, angry, and furious that Tommy and Karl were convicted on a "dream". What is wrong with this picture? What is wrong with this country? and the killer still runs loose.... heaven help us..

Does anyone have additional information on the sentence commutation, such as when it took place and who was involved.  I'm doing some research on prisoners who got screwed by the system, and I can't seem to find any info.

Thanks

Just recently read john grishams AN INNOCENT MAN,,,with regard to Karl and Tommy ,,,,,,,,,,,                     maybe with your new      president these mens caes might be reviewed and I was wondering were all Oklahomas officials appointed,, surely election should be used now,,.I was wondering if prosection of Peterson, Smith and Rogers was possible along with a review of the technical abilities of the various specialists who provided DNA and hair analyisis,,,,,,surely without showing any disrespect to Barney Ward,was he the right man for Ron Williamson ?,when these are all reviewed maybe the Karl and Tommy might get thier chance to prove thier innocence,

My brother has been in prison for 15 years for a murder he did not commit. He was such a easy target. no evidence just the word of two thugs. Now some family memebers of the actual murderer are coming forth 15 years later to tell what they know. Mark Barrett was one of my brothers lawyers. He always believed in my brother but there is only so mucha lawyer can do and somebody has to do the time! We are hoping it will go back to court although if my brother is set free i don't know how he will adjust to the outside due to all the mentally tourment he has endured over the years.

I to read the book ''The Innocent man" i pray every nite for these men .  they have lost over 35 years of there life. I dont n how they feel but i feel there pain. god bless ,stay strong and never give up hope