ORLANDO, Fla. – Bob Ward, the former Isleworth millionaire twice convicted in the shooting death of his wife, is hoping to be released from jail during an appeal.
A hearing was held Monday in the case after Ward was found guilty of manslaughter earlier this year. He was sentenced to 30 years in prison.
Diane Ward died of a single gunshot wound to the head in the 2009 shooting inside their mansion. Bob Ward said repeatedly during a 911 call that he had shot his wife.
During sentencing in June, Ward's attorneys brought up a suicide note allegedly left by his wife. The defense claims that the letter is proof that she was trying to kill herself the night a gun Ward was holding went off.
As part of a 22-page motion, Ward's defense again referred to the note, adding that they believe there were also problems with jury instructions and circumstantial evidence.
The state says those reasons are insufficient for Ward to be released from jail.
On Monday, the Orange County circuit judge did not make a decision. The appeal hearing went over 45 minutes and it will be rescheduled for another day.
In 2011, Ward was convicted of second-degree murder and sentenced to 30 years in prison. An appeals court reversed the conviction last year, saying Ward's attorney did not properly object to evidence regarding his right to remain silent.
Ward served six years before the conviction was overturned.