Phillips Black

BRUCE WARD

Current Proceedings: Post-Cert.

Case Number: 60CR-89-1836

Judge:

Demographic Information: White Male

Current Counsel:

Legal Status: Ward filed a motion to recall the mandate in resentencing (Ward III), asserting again that Ward was entitled to an independent mental health expert to aid in his defense regarding competency. The Arkansas Supreme Court held that the law of the case doctrine precluded reconsideration of challenges previously considered and denied the motion. SCOTUS denied cert.

Significant Legal Issues:

• Law of the case doctrine precluded reconsideration of challenges previously considered and rejected

• Competency

• Independent mental health expert to aid in defense regarding competency-Ake Standard/McWilliams v. Dunn (2017) *Main issue in 2018 denial of motion to recall the execution mandate

• Recall of state court mandate

Last Judicial Decision Related to Conviction or Sentence: Ward v. State, 539 S.W.3d 546 (Ark. 2018) (denying motion to recall mandate), cert. denied, Ward v. Arkansas, 139 S. Ct. 321 (2018)

Reported Opinions:

• Ward v. Arkansas 139 S. Ct. 321 (2018).

• Ward v. Arkansas, 539 S.W.3d 546 (2018).

• Ward v. State 455 S.W.3d 303 (2015).

• Ward v. Norris 577 F.3d 925 (2009).

• Ward v. State 350 Ark. 69 (Ark. 2002).

• Ward v. State 338 Ark. 619 (Ark. 1999).

• Ward v. State 321 Ark. 659 (Ark. 1995).

• Ward v. State 308 Ark. 415 (Ark. 1992).

Prior Counsel:

• Jennifer Horan

• April Golden

• Scott Braden

• Craig Lambert ('03 HCpet)

Conviction County: Pulaski

Counts:

Victim Demographic:

Crime Date: 08/11/1989

Sentencing Date: 10/18/1990

Trial Counsel:

• Tom Devine

• William Arden McLean

Trial Judge: Hon. Barry A. Sims

Trial Prosecutor:

• Melody Larue

• Brad Kevin Newman