Opinions on the Ward case
Posted on Tuesday, May 13, 2008
URL: http://www.nwanews.com/adg/Editorial/225611/
Many readers have offered
thoughts about the recent
meeting between Janie Ward’s parents, Special Prosecutor Tim Williamson and Williamson’s medical expert, retired Indiana pathologist John E. Pless. It is interesting that I have yet to hear an opinion that swallows the prosecutor’s version of the results of that third autopsy, which basically says that Williamson’s expert can determine nothing about the cause or manner of Janie’s 1989 death, but the previous medical doctors who have examined her remains were inept and / or careless and mistaken. Here is an edited smattering of what many of you have had to say about the latest “undetermined” findings. I’ve removed names to prevent even the possibility of negative consequences.
“Mike: Did you really expect any different outcome... ? Look at the ties of the major players. Until names are named and a push [is made ] for an out-of-state investigation (FBI comes to mind ), this will go on. Until a reporter and the state paper [find ] the guts to expose this, we can expect more of the same. Is it fear ?”
“Mike: I’ve been reading your columns on Janie Ward.... What is the deal with so many mistakes as I have read from your columns ? It makes me madder each time I read them. This poor family. I can’t believe no one is doing something about this. Who can I contact to complain ? Will our new governor do something ?... What can I do to help this victimized family ? I will be glad to try....”
“Mike: Would it be wrong to suggest that everyone start praying about this... and make suggestions for the prayer, [saying ] the associated people need to get right with the Lord ? Might be some kind of journalistic rule against this.”
“Mike: A wrongful death case would probably be brought in state court.... I understand that [although ] the Wards are not able to pay for litigation, there are lawyers that will take wrongful death cases on a contingent fee basis. The Wards would probably have to go outside Arkansas to find that lawyer....
“ Another course... would be to file a civil rights violation complaint with the U. S. attorney’s office, complaining that their (and Janie’s ) civil rights have been violated.... A number of organizations might be interested in that case, like the ACLU.... [The Wards ] are white folks, but white folks have civil rights, too.
“ It’s clear Williamson has a problem. He is trying to... say that if the autopsies do not conclusively indicate a violent cause of death, then no crime occurred. That ‘logic’ should not go unchallenged, and he should be compelled... into disclosing all the other relevant facts and allegations. If there has been a cover-up, then those involved should be exposed and punished accordingly.”
“Mike: I’ve followed the Janie Ward case for years now and am very surprised that still nothing can be done to see that justice prevails.... When is ABC going to air their story... ? Can’t you get some of your fellow reporters at other bigger newspapers to run the whole embarrassing story ?”
“Mike: All that I know about Janie Ward and her victimized family I have read in your columns. Many times I have thought to contact you and say... please do not stop. I knew that you would not stop and that you deserve thanks more than from just a reader like me. Today you claimed to be ‘darned near psychic.’ You are well beyond that. You have publicly presented truth. The world needs more like you (and that inky wrench ).”
“Mike: Today was the first time I saw the pre-autopsy photos of Janie Ward.... I was moved beyond description.... I saw the face of a young woman, eternally 16, who was denied the chance to graduate from high school, marry and have children. I couldn’t help but be deeply saddened when I thought of her classmates who have been ‘allowed’ to accumulate lines on their faces and the wisdom that comes from growing older. Janie didn’t have the opportunity to garner those same lines: a parenthesis around her mouth, lines around her eyes that would have come [from ] years of laughing, crying, living. I will be searching your column for information on the ABC special.”
Dear concerned readers all, the ABC Justice Unit is in the final editing stages of its documentary about Janie now that Williamson has finally released these autopsy results. The program is tentatively slated to run near the end of June. “Justice for Janie” bumper stickers are still available for free. Just send a selfaddressed, stamped envelope to Ron and Mona Ward at 1850 Hilltop Road, Marshall AR 72650.
—–––––•–––––—Staff columnist Mike Masterson is the former editor of three Arkansas daily newspapers.