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Janie Ward, 16, was pronounced dead September 9, 1989 in the city of Marshall, Arkansas. The cause of
death: spinal cord and neck injuries. The absurd tale offered by law enforcement suggested that these fatal
injuries were sustained during a fall from a porch only 9- 3/4 inches in height. According to this fabricated
account, the deadly fall occurred at a local teenage party in Marshall, AR.
There were multiple contusions and abrasions all over her body, her hands were bruised, her clothing was
wet, she had broken ribs, a broken jaw, and her tennis shoes were covered with mud, although no mud
was found at the site of the "accident." Janie's neck was so severely broken that her third vertebra was
nearly crushing her larynx. According to Dr. Fahmy Malak, well known for his screw ups as a past
Arkansas medical examiner, her lungs weighed nearly double then normal, and seemed to be filled with
water yet he listed the cause of death as accidental death, resulting from a fall from a porch approximately a
foot high".
There are many other things that should be investigated as well. Several witnesses who attended the party
have exercised their fifth amendment right to avoid self incrimination when asked if they had any
knowledge of the events surrounding Janie Ward's death. Some witnesses have been victims of “accidents”
themselves. Reporters have been threatened. The ambulance company was burglarized the day after the
crime yet the only reports taken were the ones relating to Janie Ward. The original x-rays which showed
Janie's severely broken neck were switched with one from male with no broken neck.
In 2002, the Quorum Court of Searcy County passed a resolution asking Governor Huckabee to appoint a
task force to investigate Janie's death. This resolution remained ignored until subsequent public pressure
resulted in the naming of a new special prosecutor in January 2005. Tim Williamson was appointed and in
June 2005, the governor released $10,000.00 from his emergency fund to help fund this investigation. Still,
Mr. Williamson has avoided contact with the Wards and has failed to interview crucial witnesses, despite
pressure from media personalities such as the award winning Mike Masterson.
In October 2004, a new autopsy was performed by pathologist, Harry Bonnell. Dr. Bonnell concluded that
Janie's death was clearly a "Homicide", caused by blunt force impact and trauma to the face. Bonnell’s
findings only confirmed what the Ward family and eyewitnesses already knew—the account that Janie
Ward suffered an accidental deadly fall from an insignificant height was manufactured. In spite of the
highly esteemed credentials of Dr. Bonnell, the State has refused to concur with his findings.
Despite conflicting and incriminating witness statements, the State of Arkansas has ensured that manner of
death REMAIN undetermined.
The botched investigation and plot to cover up the facts in this case demonstrates corruption and
unresponsiveness on a local and statewide level. Arkansas leaders have enabled the deliberate denial of
justice for Janie Ward and her family to continue for so many years. We must implore our leaders to put
JUSTICE before politics!
Any thoughts or information that you want to share with Prosecutor Tim Williamson can be e-mailed to
prosecutor18 west @aol. com or snail-mail him at P. O. Drawer 109, Mena, AR 71953-0109
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