Prominent Southeast real estate developer charged in wife’s death released from jail on bond
By APFriday, October 9, 2009
Fla. developer charged in wife’s death out of jail
ORLANDO, Fla. — A prominent Southeast real estate developer charged with second-degree murder in his wife’s shooting death in Florida has been released from jail.
Sixty-one-year-old J. Robert Ward was released Friday from the Orange County Jail. He pleaded not guilty Thursday to killing his wife, Diane.
Ward initially told a 911 operator that he had shot his wife last month, according to an arrest affidavit. However, he said it was an accident when questioned by the dispatcher. He later told others that his wife had killed herself.
His attorneys have suggested that the gun went off during a struggle when Ward interrupted his wife’s suicide attempt.
Ward must wear an electronic monitor and cannot have alcohol or guns in his home.
