Thomas Ward was executed by the State of Louisiana for the murder of Wilbert John Spencer
According to court documents Thomas Ward would serve sixty days in jail for the abuse of his daughter. Ward would travel to the home of Wilbert John Spencer where his estrange wife was staying. Ward would visit with his kids before leaving however would return the next morning. After visiting with his children he would go into the bedroom of Wilbert John Spencer and fatally shoot him
Thomas Ward would be arrested, convicted and sentenced to death
Thomas Ward would be executed by lethal injection on May 16 1995
Thomas Ward Case
On the night of June 22, 1983, Thomas Ward claims to have arrived in New Orleans from California by bus. He took a taxi to 926 Hagin Street. The house belonged to Lydia and John Spencer, the mother and stepfather of the defendant’s wife. Ward’s wife and children were also staying at the house. Ward was allowed into the house to visit his children. He asked and was allowed to bathe and freshen up. Ward testified that in a later conversation he learned that his wife had begun receiving welfare and the family was having some trouble with one of the daughters. The defendant claims this upset him, but rather than saying or doing anything rash, he left the house.
Ward testified that he then went to a local bar where he drank vodka and beer and “hit up” with cocaine. He then went back to the Hagin Street house, at approximately 5:30 a.m., asking to see his children one last time.
After visiting with the children he gave his wife his address and phone number in New York, then went into the bedroom of his wife’s mother and stepfather. He pulled out a gun, pointed at the victim, John Spencer, and said, “I am sorry, John, I have to kill you.” He then fatally shot the victim once at close range. As Lydia Spencer reached for her husband, the defendant shot her in the stomach. When she turned around, he shot her in the back. Lydia Spencer ran for the door, trying to get out of the house. The defendant followed her, striking her with three more shots. Linda Ward and her brother, Ernest Scott, heard the shooting and ran from the house to get help from the neighbors.
The defendant testified in the penalty phase to only remembering being in the house, then being on the street corner, surrounded by police officers. He said he took more cocaine at the time, fearing the police would catch him with it. Ward walked up to the police officers, ostensibly to turn himself in. The police did not at first 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.
https://law.justia.com/cases/louisiana/supreme-court/1986/85-ka-0933-1.html
