Career
On the night of June 22, 1983, Ward arrived by bus in New Orleans, Louisiana from California, where he had just been released from jail after serving 60 days for molesting his 10-year-old daughter. He asked and was allowed to bathe and freshen up. Ward later claimed that this upset him, but rather than saying or doing anything rash, he left the house.
He then went to a local bar where he drank vodka and beer and "hit up" with cocaine.
He pulled out a gun, pointed it at Wilbert John Spencer and said "I am sorry, John, I have to kill you." He then shot Spencer once at close range. When she turned around, he shot her in the back.
She then ran for the door, trying to get out of the house. Ward followed her, striking her with three more shots.
When police arrived, Ward walked up to the police officers, apparently to turn himself in.
At first, the police did not seize Ward, not yet knowing he was the alleged murderer. Ward claims the police shooed him away because he was drunk. After further investigation at the scene, the police realized who Ward was and arrested him for the murder of Wilbert John Spencer.
Lydia Spencer later recovered.
Ward was indicted by the Orleans Parish Grand Jury with first-degree murder. On August 15, 1984, the jury at Ward"s trial found him guilty as charged.
After a sentencing hearing, in which Ward testified, the jury unanimously recommended a sentence of death. Ward was executed by lethal injection at the Louisiana State Penitentiary on May 16, 1995 at the age of 59.
He declined to make a final statement, but dictated to his attorney: "I am leaving the world at peace with myself and with the Almighty.
I feel remorse for the things that I did. I hope that young people today will learn that violence is not an answer. I hope the legal system learns that lesson, too.
The death penalty is not a solution.".