Billie
Denison,#2Author of original report
Tue, July 01, 2008
As previously stated: - The first autopsy was done by AR medical examiner Dr. Fahmy Malak. (In his report, he included a statement that this case called for further investigation.) - Years later, Mr. Walter, of the "Vidocq Society" (You can read about this society at: www.vidocq.org) came to Marshall, AR and reviewed the case of Janie Ward. He told the Ward family: There is no doubt in my mind that your daughtered was murdered. - Year (2004, if I remember correctly): Mr. & Mrs. Ward had their daughter's body exhumed and it was examined by Dr. Harry Bonnell. (Dr. Bonnell is well-known. He was also a member of "Parents of Murdered Children" organization. He did not charge the Ward family for this autopsy. He only charged for his expenses, for the trip.) He stated that he believed that this case was a homicide. - One year ago, a judge handed this case over to a special prosecutor attorney. (Mr. Williamson, Mena, AR.) Mike Huckabee, the AR Governor at the time, also provided $10,000 as requested by this special prosecutor attorney, to help with this investigation. Mr. Williamson questioned 32 people. He also had the body exhumed and a third autopsy was done, by a doctor in Indiana. 3-D Cat equipment was also used. (which is newer forensic equipment that was not available in the past.) He stated: her neck was not broken. (as reported by Dr. Fahmy Malak, and he stated that Dr. Malak himself had done this, when he cut into her spinal area.) He stated: her nose was not broken. (He stated, Dr. Bonnell had done this injury to her nose during his examination.) He stated, she may have died from "choking", and he thought this because he found an area of red bumps on her throat. [The witness statements in this case, had included that: The liquor at this party had included, a punch that had fruit in it, and the fruit had been soaked in rubbing alcohol overnight, before it was added to the punch, for the party. It was stated that Janie Ward did not drink the alcohol... (during the first autopsy, "0.5" % of alcohol was found in her system, and it was stated: "No drugs" were found in her system) ...but that she had some of the fruit in a cup, and had been eating it. (during the first autopsy, Dr. Fahmy Malak noted that she had in her stomach, what looked like "tomato". If that punch was "red", then the fruit in it would look red, like "tomato" (which is considered to be a fruit. Not a vegetable.] The findings in this new autopsy, were talked about last Wednesday night on ABC "Primetime". (The show was about the Janie Ward case.) ------ I am no longer a member of janie ward yahoo group, but I do try to keep up with any new happenings in regard to the case itself. ABC starting looking at this case three years ago. (I was aware of it back then, knew they would be doing a show about it sometime in the future.) ------ Other than the new investigation, the new autopsy, and the ABC "Primetime" show, I know of no other new news about this case. (and have no idea, if / or when there might be some.)
Billie
Denison,#3Author of original report
Mon, June 30, 2008
(Sorry for a rather late reply, Neil, but I have not been on this site for awhile.) I would like to reply to these statements of yours: "Conpiracy Fuel.....All this hype is nothing more than to fuel a conspiracy. ...bringing in unrelated cases, people and adding lies to them are just as bad as someone trying to cover up the truth. ...I think people who make up stories, add lies and try to add fuel to a conspiracy wild fire should be charged with slander and obstruction of justice." - I am not the one who told the "story" (s). (The story was "told" to me and to others, by Mr. & Mrs. Ward.) - I have not knowingly / intentionally lied about anything. ("If" any lies were "told": then they were "told" to me and to others - and we did not know they were lies. We believed what was "told", was told truthfully. - As for, "add fuel" to a "conspiracy wild fire". I don't go around looking for "conspiracy theories." (i.e.: JFK, & etc., for example) I also would not knowingly / intentionally "add fuel" to anything that I knew to be untrue. The witness statements (and "documents" of that nature) are posted on the janieward yahoo group site. As for the things that were "told", they were "told" by Mr. & Mrs. Ward. (That is who you would need to address your statements to.) Also, "if" you are aware that some lies have been told and have some proof of it, contact the media. I don't like lies and made-up stories, either. What is interesting is that: You are claiming the "same thing" about the story (s) that Mr. & Mrs. Ward have told, / that Mr. & Mrs. Ward are claiming in regard to the case of their daughter. ("lies" and "made-up stories") Their words also include: obstruction of justice, perjury, murder. / You state: obstruction of justice and slander.
Tiffany
Mooringsport,#4Consumer Comment
Mon, October 24, 2005
Are there any other facts you would like to share Neil?
Neil
Batesville,#5Consumer Suggestion
Mon, October 24, 2005
"The man who actually stole the records, has since been killed by a gunshot wound, as he stood on his front porch steps. One of the witnesses to the death of Janie Ward - Chad Mummy [Mummey], was "accidentally" shot in the head. It was later found out, that Chad Mummy had told his family - and some other people - that he was getting ready to come forward with information in the Ward case, and "tell all he knows". The young man wasn't able to do that, BECAUSE he was shot and killed." I knew both Chad Mummy and the individual who was involved in the accident. This did not happen at Chad's house. It happened at the other individual's house. That person was always careless with guns (i.e. keeping them loaded in the house, pointing them at people and poor safety practices). I knew them both very well and am positive this was an accident. I drove up soon after the event took place. They had no agenda and I assure you the individual involved in this accident is far more than remorseful over the event. I don't believe there has been any charges brought against Mr. Mummy or indications thereof. He was a very good person and had done no-one any harm that I can ever recall. All this hype is nothing more than to fuel a conspiracy. Yes, I do believe there are many unknown facts around Ms. Wards case. These facts need to come out no matter the outcome. However, bringing in unrelated cases, people and adding lies to them are just as bad as someone trying to cover up the truth. Please stop trying to confuse the issues...you should be acting as a prosecutor and pressing facts instead of playing the defense and trying to confuse the issue. I think people who make up stories, add lies and try to add fuel to a conspiracy wild fire should be charged with slander and obstruction of justice. If you are serious on bringing out the truth, stop pointing your finger in all kinds of directions based on blatent lies. If you do not know what you are talking about and have first hand accounts, please leave the facts to people who know them.
Kevan
Harrison,#6Consumer Comment
Wed, December 15, 2004
Kevan Mathis; Harrison Daily Times Newspaper reporter; P.O. Box 40; 111 West Rush Ave.; Harrison, AR 72601. My work phone is 870-741-2325. My FAX number is 870-741-5632. Our website is: www.harrisondailytimes.com. I've been writing a series of news stories concerning the death of Janie Ward. I'm asking if anyone knows the whereabouts of the two paramedics on duty the night that Janie Ward died. The names of the two paramedics are J.D. Beason and Velma Catherine Beason. I'd like to interview them for our newspaper. Or if anyone else knows anything about the death and they'd like to talk about it, please contact me. Janie Ward's family had recently filed a court petition changing Janie's official cause of death from 'undetermined' to 'homicide.' Attorneys for the family also plan to meet with Prosecutor H.G. Foster on Dec. 30, 2004 in hopes of opening a new investigation on her death.
Billie
Denison,#7Consumer Comment
Fri, October 15, 2004
The following was sent, June 06, 2004, & received. [and there were many more sent over the years, besides this one.] In light of the proven findings of "Homicide" in this case, October 2004 - If this case is not re-opened, investigated PROPERLY, and PROSECUTED...then notice is hereby given that I will disown my government at that time. [signed], Billie ******* --------------------------------- June 06, 2004 TO: Colonel Don Melton, Director of Arkansas State Police TO: Governor's Office of Arkansas TO: U. S. Department of Justice; and personally to John Ashcroft RE: The murder of Ms. Olivia Jane Ward, and your failure to investigate & prosecute Dear Sir (s) : As you can see by the enclosed documentation, we continue to get statements from licensed authorities who state that Ms. Ward's death was NOT due to a fall off a porch...under one foot tall. We have spoken with your agencies; sent you many copies of different documentation; sent you PROOF, that Ms. Ward's death was due to criminal activities. We also informed you that we had pictures of her injuries - on the front of her body, back of her body, left-side of her body, and right-side of her body. This 16 - year - old child did NOT fall off a short porch, on to her back, then died. We also provided you proof that the investigator of the Ward case (William Beach, employed by the Arkansas State Police) was also provided proof during his investigation, that Ms. Ward had injuries on the FRONT of her body, which also substantiated that she did not simply fall on her back, then died. On the ASP re-enactment tape [VCR tape],which we did review, we plainly saw - and heard - Detective William Beach being plainly told by a witness, that he noticed a bruise on Ms. Ward's face. How does one get a bruise on the face, from falling straight back, off a porch 9 3/4 " high. Mr. Beach seemed to act like, he didn't even hear the statement being made. We heard it. We saw it. William Beach was also aware that Ms. Ward's body was "wet from head to toe". He was also aware that paramedics gave statements that Ms. Ward not only had sand UNDER her clothing, but she also had twigs UNDER her clothing - both under her bra - and on her back, under her clothing. You are also aware that the ambulance records were reportedly "stolen", pertaining ONLY to Ms. Ward - in a supposedly "break-in" of the ambulance base office. In the year of 1991, the ambulance service owners gave notarized copies of statements, to Major Clausey, of the Arkansas State Police...in a meeting they had with him, in Little Rock, Arkansas. [We have copies of that statement.] The Arkansas State Police also has within their own investigation files...witness statements of individuals, which state that witnesses SAW Ms. xxxxx xxxxxxxxx assault Ms. Janie Ward, both with her fists, and with an object..."baseball bat, or club". [With have copies, of those witness statements.] Your refusal to re-open this case; investigate it properly; and to prosecute those responsible... gives further credence to the findings of the "Vicdoq Society", when they investigated the Ward case, and told the Ward family: "I have no doubt your daughter was murdered, and that this case is a political cover-up." WHEN is the Arkansas State Police; the Governor of Arkansas; the State of Arkansas; and the U. S. Department of Justice...going to do what is right, about this case. Your refusal to investigate, and prosecute those responsible, is abominable, horrifying...and there is no excuse for your lack of actions, in this case. I am ashamed of my own government, when it comes to this case. When are you going to admit that this case needs to be investigated, and the guilty party (s) brought to JUSTICE...and take steps, concerning this case? Is there no more JUSTICE in our society? Is that what we have become...what our own government has lowered down to? Is there no JUSTICE in America...that you no longer protect it's citizens, that you have simply stopped investigating cases...seeking JUSTICE...and bringing those responsible in to a court of law? It's time you investigate this case for what it really was...murder, and a cover-up to hide that fact. JUSTICE...is being ignored in this case, and seeking JUSTICE...is part of your job. Very truly yours, CC: Munson & Munson CC: Phil Shaffer CC: Ron Ward (The Ward Family) Address H.C.79 Box 240 Marshall, AR. 72650 Phone: 870-448-5218
Billie
Denison,#8Consumer Comment
Thu, October 14, 2004
Janie Ward's body has now been exhumed, and another "real" autopsy was done on Oct. 8, 2004. The State of AR refused to do anything about this case. After 15 years of trying, the Ward family - with the help of an attorney - showed "good cause" for an exhumation and another autopsy to be done. The judge, who was presented this, then signed the court order. You can view the new information, at the link below. Her death has now, finally, been determined to be: "HOMICIDE" http://www.kthv.com/news/news.aspx?storyid=12285 [also has link: "teen's body exhumed"] ---------------------------------- The Ward family can be contacted by the media / those wanting to help, at: Ron Ward Address H.C.79 Box 240 Marshall, AR. 72650 Phone: 870-448-5218 (You may call at anytime.) --------------------------------- Here is part of the information that Dr. Harry Bonnell has been providing to media, due to their "media requests": Harry J. Bonnell, M. D. 4N6 Pathology, Inc. 6910 Monte Verde Dr. San Diego, CA 92119 "The autopsy on Janie was performed Friday morning at UAMS and it was done pro bono, the only charge to the family was for my travel. The remains were in an excellent state of preservation and the autopsy revealed an impact to the left side of the face with bruising of the left cheek, fracture and bleeding in the cartilage of the nose and bruising of the left forehead. She had hyperextension injury [head knocked to far backwards], with fracture of the spine in the neck. This injury is sometimes referring to as a "hangmans" fracture. There was no evidence of any impact to the back of the head, although the original autopsy report describes there being one. [my added note: At a meeting in Dr. Malak's office, he stated to Mr. Ward that: "They told me to be careful, because you are a smart man." (cover-up) ] Since the injury found at autopsy does not agree with any of the stories provided by witnesses, I consider this to be a homicide." [Also see the document shown above, where Dr. Bonnell also made previous findings in this case. - when he reviewed the case.] ------------------------------------------ Correspondence to me yesterday, from some media: **[Correspondence to me from a media station]: "e'll stay on this and hope the sheriff does something about it. Sometimes they won't do anything even if they have a big sign with big letters in front of them. We'll stay on it."] **[Correspondence to me, from a reporter at "______Daily Times Newspaper": "I've been writing news stories of late on Janie and I'm not going to stop until authorities conduct a 'real' investigation. I'm stubborn as a mule and I'm not going to let the killers frighten me off like they've tried to do others. Keep me up to par on the latest. I also plan to write a personal newspaper column about this event. Thank you." ----------------------------------- 16-year-old Janie Ward was killed in 1989. For 15 years, her family and the citizens of Searcy County, Arkansas, have tried to get justice in this case. Her first autopsy was done by the notorius Dr. Fahmy Malak [do an Internet search for Fahmy Malak, and see what pops up. You will be amazed.] Dr. Malak ruled that Janie Ward fell off a porch 9 3/4 inches high, and died. Due to the New York Times uncovering botched autopsies of Dr. Malak, some of the cases were reviewed. The Ward case was one of those cases, at which time Drs. Graham & Krouse - chosen by the State of AR, determined that: "Out of all the autopsies of Malak's that we reviewed, the Ward case was the most eye-opening. Still, the State of Arkansas would not call for another autopsy - a "real" autopsy to be done. Janie Ward never had a "real" autopsy done on her. After 15 years of total hell, the parents - with the help of an attorney - showed "good cause" why an exhumation and another autopsy should be done. A judge FINALLY signed the court order. On Oct. 8, 2004, another autopsy was done on Janie Ward by Dr. Harry Bonnell. Her death was due to: "HOMICIDE", just as the family and the citizens have stated for the past 15 years. The Prosecuting Attorney at the time of Janie Ward's death was Harry G. Foster. He refused to call for a Grand Jury investigation....even though a Petition had been signed by over 1200 citizens, asking him to "recluse" himself from the case, and turn it over to a Grand Jury. Foster refused to do so. This is puzzling, since Foster did the following actions, shortly after Janie's death: -Mr. Foster came to the Ward family's house, and told them: "I went to that cabin, and I don't see how anyone could fall off that porch and die." -Later, after the Petition was given to Mr. Foster, he gave the following statements to local news media: "I don't know why she was wet from head to toe. I don't have an answer for that." "I don't know why she had sand under her clothes and in her hair. I don't have an answer for that." When the media asked him WHY he would not call for a Grand Jury investigation, he stated: "Because it would cost the citizens of Searcy Co. tens of thousands of dollars." [Does Justice have a price? Since when ! Also, Mr. Foster went "overboard" on his estimation of the "costs" for a Grand Jury investigation.] ------------------------------------------------------ Before the exhumation, Sherriff Jerry Loggins stated in the media that...he didn't see why this case should be re-opened. [Of course he stated that...because there was a huge cover-up in this case !] He also stated, if the autopsy showed a reason to re-open the case, it would be re-opened, because "I think we owe that to the family." Prosec. Atty. Foster has stated to the media - since finding out the new autopsy showed "HOMICIDE", that: "I will have to let the State of AR Medical Examiner [crime lab] look over the findings of Dr. Bonnell. It is unusual to go by the findings of a private autopsy, by a Pathologist, and I feel we have very capable people in the State Crime lab." HA ! Dr. Fahmy Malak is the "REASON" why this case WAS botched, and never investigated properly. He WAS the State of AR Medical Examiner. So now...Foster is - yet again - trying to find a way NOT to re-open this case; do a a full investigation [a Grand Jury investigation should be called for !] bring charges against those responsible for the death of Janie Ward, AND Perjury charges against those who lied during the investigation. [By the way, the citizens of Searcy Co. wanted this man out of office many years ago, but noone has run against him in over the past 10 years ! That is WHY they cannot get him out of office. There IS noone else to "vote" for.] The Arkansas State Police have ALWAYS had within the investigation files of this case, statements from different parties, in which they SAW a group of girls beat Janie Ward up, and some of those statements state she was hit with a baseball bat and then run over with a car. These statements are in those files, and I have seen copies of those files with my OWN eyes ! There was also a young man shot that same night, too. Next morning, he hopped on a bus and left the state. [He was frightened, because he had been TOLD to leave the state of Arkansas. Why? Because he was a witness as to what happened to Janie Ward !] Why all the big cover-up? Simple: The girl named in the witness statements of the Arkansas State Police files, is the daughter of a Judge, in Searcy Co., AR. [If anyone within the media wants copies of the documentation I have, SHOWING these ACTUAL documents...I CAN provide them.] [We also previously found out that Janie Ward "had water in her lungs", when she died. Janie Ward was beaten, and she was drowned ! That is exactly what happened to Janie Ward. There has also been talk that after she was beaten, she was then "thrown from a bridge". and an elderly couple saw "a group of people trying to weight down a body with rocks, but the body kept floating back up." [At the time they saw this, it was before anyone knew that Janie Ward had died. The next day, after they saw this, it was in the paper that Janie Ward had died, from falling off a short porch - at a party, attended by approximately 30 people. Aproximately 10 of these individuals were considered "witnesses" as to Janie Ward "falling" off the porch. These witnesses lied. It was also some of these same witnesses, who loaded her up in the back of a pickup truck, took her to the Sheriff's office - and approximately 2 hours later !, the ambulance service was called to look at her "at the bank parking lot", on the downtown square. Some witnesses have also stated, that within this approximate 2 hour period, the pickup truck - with Janie Ward still lying in the back, was driven through the car wash, and a power hose was then used. One picture I have, shows that truck, with water still dripping out of the bed of the truck - and a large puddle of water directly beneath the tailgate, which is approximately 3 feet in diameter. This picture was taken by authorities, 3 hours after the ambulance service was called to look at Janie Ward. And of course, that same night, is when the ambulance service records - belonging ONLY to Janie Ward, were reported "stolen" from the ambulance base office. [the home of J. D. Beeason, who perjured himself, when he stated that ALL records were stolen from the base office.] As shown above, the ambulance service owners then gave a notarized statement to Major Causey [of the AR State Police], at a meeting they had with him in Little Rock, AR....at which time they stated in the statements that the ONLY records "taken", were those of Janie Ward. [This was part of the cover-up folks. An individual told another individual to GET those records on Janie Ward, "because he didn't want anything coming back on _______." [who was his daughter.] The man who actually stole the records, has since been killed by a gunshot wound, as he stood on his front porch steps. One of the witnesses to the death of Janie Ward - Chad Mummy [Mummey], was "accidentally" shot in the head. It was later found out, that Chad Mummy had told his family - and some other people - that he was getting ready to come forward with information in the Ward case, and "tell all he knows". The young man wasn't able to do that, BECAUSE he was shot and killed. This year, Chad Mummy's sister - Trisha - also a witness to a girl hitting Janie Ward with a baseball bat...was killed in a "one-car vehicle accident". [Another witness was previously hurt in a "one-car vehicle accident", which put her in a coma - at which time she died 1 1/2 years later. Her name is also mentioned in the investigation files of the AR State Police.] Janie Ward was killed by "HOMICIDE". A cover-up then ensued...which also involved "whacking" people,my friends. Whacking people from the face of the earth, who DID have information in this case. The only question I have is...who will be next. You can see now, why some people are keeping their mouths shut, in Searcy Co., AR. They are afraid to come forward, and some of them have stated...they are afraid to come forward with their information. You can see now, why I AM so involved in this case. Everything I state here is TRUE, so help me God - and God does know, that it's true - and they will eventually pay for what they have done. - one way or another... It's a "good ol' buddy" system in this area, and they are covering up for each other. That is WHY, nothing has ever been done in this case. ------------------------------------------- What we need in this case now, is NATIONAL MEDIA ATTENTION: * Oprah Winfrey [Please help, Oprah ! - I know YOU can make a difference.] , CNN, 20/20, etc. Please help. Get organized: -Make a list of contact information for all the major media outlets. -Type up a letter, and make copies of that letter. -Have envelopes & stamps handy. -Address all envelopes, stuff all envelopes, stamp, and mail - to all Major, national media. This could have been YOUR child - or your child tomorrow ! We can make a difference, if we will stick together. Please get involved, if at all possible. Thank you, Billie M. Teague JUSTICE FOR JANIE I am a member of: www.janieward.org I am a member of: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/janieward
Robin
Waldron,#9Consumer Comment
Tue, October 12, 2004
I found this in today's newspaper. My heart goes out to the parents of this child and perhaps justice will now be served. Background of the Clinton/Malak connection: Gov. Bill Clinton, the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee, refused for several years to dismiss a state medical examiner whose controversial decrees included a ruling that helped Clinton's mother, a nurse-anesthetist, avoid scrutiny in the death of a patient, according to Arkansas officials and state records. Malak's controversial rulings include: * The Allbright case. On June 28, 1985, Raymond P. Allbright, 50, of Mountain Home was found in his yard dead of gunshot wounds. Allbright had been arrested the night before on charges of theft. Malak ruled his death a suicide. But Allbright had been shot five times; all five shots were in the chest. The weapon was a high-powered pistol. "We think," says Maggie Hall, Allbright's ex-wife, "he was murdered." Malak's attorney, Larry Carpenter, says the pistol was a semiautomatic capable of rapid fire and that the pattern of wounds "suggested the shots were fired in rapid succession." * The Ives-Henry case. On Aug. 23, 1987, Kevin Ives, 17, and Don Henry, 16, were run over by a train near the town of Alexander. They had been lying squarely on the tracks. Malak ruled that they had been smoking marijuana and dozed off and had slept as the onrushing freight train bore down. But a second autopsy indicated that Henry had been stabbed in the back, that Ives had been struck on the skull and that both boys probably had been placed on the tracks unconscious, maybe already dead. A grand jury overruled Malak: The boys had been murdered. In response, Carpenter, Malak's attorney, says: "Dr. Malak has said he doesn't believe anybody laid a finger on those boys." * The Malcolm case. On June 14, 1989, Andrew Smith, 59, who police said had shot himself, was declared brain-dead at University Hospital in Little Rock. Life support was withdrawn. A week later, Malak told officers that the order to end life support was given by a deputy county coroner, Mark Malcolm, who had not consulted Smith's family -- and that he would have to rule that "Malcolm killed him." Police investigating Malak's accusation discovered that the attending physician had used a medical symbol on Smith's chart to show that life support was ended "after" the family had been consulted. The director of the state Health Department said Malak apparently had mistaken the symbol to mean "without" family consultation and apparently had misread the chart to mean that permission to end life support had come from Malcolm. Carpenter says that Malak "apologized for his mistake." * The Stephens case. On Aug. 18, 1990, Gregory Stephens, 25, of Hot Springs, was fatally shot while he was on the front porch of his home. Prosecutor Paul R. Bosson brought Ernest D. Lemons, 21, a parolee, to trial on a murder charge. Witnesses said that Stephens had been shot from the street, 40 feet away. When Malak took the stand, he said that Stephens had been shot point-blank. Deputy Prosecutor Bruce MacPhee was stunned. He knew his case was doomed -- and he asked that charges be dismissed. Prosecutor Bosson, angry at being blindsided, sought an evaluation from three outside pathologists. Each said that Stephens had not been shot point-blank, and one said it seemed that Malak had studied the wrong tissue samples. A DNA analysis confirmed that either blood samples or the tissue samples that Malak used had come from another corpse. Carpenter says that Malak was "shocked" by the DNA results. In the face of mounting evidence that Malak's performance was questionable, Clinton persisted in ignoring or deflecting criticism aimed at Malak and the job he was doing. Interviews by The Times with Malak critics and state officials, as well as a review of Clinton's public statements, show that: * After a grand jury overruled Malak in the Ives-Henry case, Clinton hired two out-of-state pathologists to review Malak's performance. They gave him high marks and said he should get a raise. But the visiting pathologists were paid $20,000 from Clinton's discretionary fund. And one said at the time that he and his colleague agreed during meetings with state officials, including Betsey Wright, Clinton's chief of staff at the time, not to conduct a systematic review of Malak's cases. * After Malak falsely accused Malcolm, the deputy county coroner, of killing the man who was taken off life support, Steve Nawojczyk, the Pulaski County coroner and Malcolm's boss, complained to Clinton. Clinton suggested only that Malak apologize. Two months later, Clinton sent a proposal to the Legislature to raise Malak's salary by 41.5% -- to $117,875. We can now add the Ward case to "botched" cases. NWAnews.com :: Northwest Arkansas Arkansas Democrat-Gazette Pathologist: Girl was killed in '89 BY NOEL E. OMAN Posted on Tuesday, October 12, 2004 URL: http://www.nwanews.com/story/adg/95359 A Searcy County teenager was killed 15 years ago by a blow to the head forceful enough to break her neck, according to a private forensic pathologist who called the death a homicide. Harry J. Bonnell of San Diego based his conclusion on an autopsy he performed Friday at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences after Olivia Jane Ward's parents obtained a court order to exhume her body. Bonnell, who had not finished writing the report Monday, shared what he found in the autopsy in an interview. The Wards have contended for years that state and county investigators botched the investigation into their daughter's death, which occurred during a party Sept. 9, 1989, with schoolmates at a cabin in the woods. Olivia was 16. "I knew if we ever had an official autopsy, one done properly, they would come up with a cause of death, a real cause," said Ron Ward of Marshall. "I knew that the night I saw my daughter." The original autopsy concluded she died from a broken neck caused by falling off a porch less than 10 inches high. That conclusion was later changed to "undetermined" after the autopsy came into question. Bonnell said his autopsy revealed an impact to the left side of the face, with bruising of the left cheek, fracture and bleeding in the cartilage of the nose and bruising of the left forehead. Olivia's body also exhibited an injury Bonnell said is sometimes referred to as a "hangman's fracture," a hyper-extension injury in which the head is knocked so far backward it causes a spinal fracture. Further, Bonnell said, he found no evidence of an impact to the back of the head, as described in the original autopsy. "Since the injury found at autopsy does not agree with any of the stories provided by witnesses, I consider this to be a homicide," he said. Law enforcement officials reached Monday wanted to review Bonnell's autopsy report and supporting documents before deciding whether to reopen the investigation. The 20 th Judicial District prosecuting attorney, H. G. Foster of Conway, said he also would want to have the state medical examiner's office review Bonnell's work before proceeding further. Foster, in 26 years with the prosecuting attorney's office, said he has worked dozens and dozens of homicides but never one in which the victim's family retained a private pathologist. "It would be irresponsible in the extreme to take any action based on a report by a privately retained expert," Foster said. "Our medical examiner's office is staffed by some of the best in the country. We have to trust them. From what I know, they are worthy of our trust." Searcy County Sheriff Jerry Loggins said if Bonnell is correct, "I think we owe it to the family to look at it and see what could be accomplished." Ron Ward said that once he gets Bonnell's autopsy report, he will forward a copy to Foster. But Ward expressed little faith that law enforcement authorities would purse the case. "We will send one to him," Ward said. "We don't want to leave him out. But I don't know why he wants to get on board now. We've been telling him all this time." Now a private forensic consultant, Bonnell was chief deputy medical examiner in San Diego from 1991-2001. He's performed more than 6,000 autopsies and qualified as an expert witness more than 400 times in 17 states. He has worked with Parents of Murdered Children, whose panel of experts helped review the original autopsy and investigative file several years ago when the cause of death was changed from "accidental" to "undetermined." At that time, Bonnell said that evidence suggested Olivia was in a "river or a lake" and that X-ray films used in the original autopsy appear to be from the skull of a black male rather than that of a white female, according to the request the Wards made for another autopsy. Ward said he would've had the autopsy performed sooner but couldn't afford it. Bonnell performed the autopsy for free, but Bonnell said the Ward family paid for his travel expenses. The Wards also had to pay to have their daughter's body exhumed. He declined to say how much the effort cost.
Billie
Denison,#10Author of original report
Tue, October 12, 2004
I wanted to thank everyone for their kindly response, concerning this case. As we speak [Oct. 12, 2004], a Judge finally signed a court order for exhumation and another autopsy to be done...on Janie Ward. The body has now been exhumed, and is currently at the Arkansas State Crime Lab. As you know, Dr. Fahmy Malak is no longer the State Medical Examiner there [thank GOD], so hopefully this process will now be done correctly. This case became known to me two years ago, and I diligently tried to help - researching, writing letters, etc., full time. Many other people have done the same for the last 15 years [she died in 1989] - to try to get resolvement in this case. The Ward family has been through total hell....not only on the day/evening their daughter died, but also for the last 15 years. Hopefully, there will now be true resolvement...and if foul play was involved [I'm sure it was], then they will now be brought to justice. This case has taught me many things, but above all, it has taught me "never give up". Fight for what is right, and what you believe in. Fight for Justice. Although, I still believe that one should not "have" to fight for Justice; Justice should not have a "price"; Justice should be for ALL. What is wrong with our legal system, in some parts....[They need to clean house.]
Nancy
Phoenix,#11Consumer Comment
Fri, August 13, 2004
Billie, I must say that at the very beginning, as I started reading your report, I wasn't sure of it. Then I saw the names that looked familiar (and I have never lived in Arkansas), then you mentioned a case I hold close in my heart and know so much about after reading in full 'The Boys On The Track' website. Janie's death also has a lot of problems with it that the state seems to be overlooking, doesn't it. Just like they did with Kevin and Don. Know that Janie's family will be in my prayers from now on, just as the boys families are.
Darren
Neenah,#12Consumer Comment
Thu, August 12, 2004
Hi, I did a Google search for Fahmy Malak and I was amazed to see all the links... they all had to do with Bill Clinton! Maybe now that they no longer have Clinton to use as a means to distract people from the important things there can be some justice. Good luck!
Shanon
Little Rock,#13Consumer Comment
Thu, August 12, 2004
This girl's death was ruled a suicide by Fahmy Malak and she was clearly murdered...can someone help me find any information about this case......thank you Treasa Nix ElDorado Arkansas medical examiner 1990
Robin - Consumer Advocate
Waldron,#14Consumer Suggestion
Sun, September 21, 2003
Have you tried contacting Ms. Blanche Lincoln, U.S. State Senator from Arkansas in regard to this matter? I have met Ms. Lincoln and she seems a very decent and caring person. Perhaps she will finally give you some real help you with this. Her website: http://lincoln.senate.gov/ Washington, D.C. Office phone: 202-224-4843 Little Rock phone: 501-375-2993 In State (other) phone: 800-352-9364 I sincerely hope that you and the entire Ward family will finally find the justice it has sought for so many years. And a measure of peace for having found that justice. Bless all of you in your efforts.