I married a convicted killer in prison ceremony…his MUM tried to cancel wedding & trolls say he'll kill me when he's out
DRESSED in a frilly white gown, jewelled headband and satin heels, bride Carla Ward felt like a princess as she reached the gates of her wedding venue.
But she wasn't about to say 'I do' inside a church or registry office.
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She was heading into a prison - to marry a convicted killer.
Last month the 27-year-old tied the knot with inmate Joseph Ward, 42, in a jailhouse ceremony in Louisiana, US.
Despite Ward currently serving an 100-year sentence for shooting and killing a woman, Carla vowed to commit herself to him.
Yet not everyone was happy with their marriage.
On the morning of their nuptials, her mother-in-law-to-be phoned the prison to call it off - objecting to the union due to the couple's 15-year age gap.
But the vows still went ahead as planned, with just the prison staff and warden as witnesses.
Twice-divorced Carla, from Tennessee, insists it was the 'happiest day of her life', adding: 'I've been married before but this time felt 100 per cent natural.
'I was so shocked to learn that his mother wasn't happy as she'd said before that she was looking forward to welcoming me to the family, so it made me sad.
'Still, we didn't let it ruin our special day.'
On the morning of the wedding Carla arrived at the prison in her car, where it was searched by armed guards before she went through a body scanner.
Love Behind Bars: I married a convicted killer serving 100 years after rodeo date
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She was then escorted inside to meet her groom.
'I was taken in to see Joseph,' Carla recalls. 'But he was half an hour late for his own wedding as he was working.
'Eventually he arrived dressed in a blue long-sleeved shirt, jeans and his rodeo belt and cowboy boots. It was pure joy seeing him.'
The couple exchanged vows they'd written themselves at the visiting table before sharing a kiss as husband and wife.
Afterwards the prison newspaper photographer snapped some pictures of the newlyweds, before they had an hour left of their visit.
I was so shocked to learn that his mother wasn't happy as she'd said before that she was looking forward to welcoming me to the family, so it made me sad
Carla Ward
Carla says: 'It wasn't a conventional wedding but it was beautiful to us. I'll cherish that day forever."
In October 2000, Ward was handed a 100-year sentence for aggravated robbery, kidnap and manslaughter, after a woman was shot and killed in Louisiana.
He faced the death penalty, so took a plea deal.
Carla, who has never had sex with her husband, says: 'Most people are shocked to discover I'm married to a convicted criminal, but that's not how I see him.
'He's really loving and has such a kind nature. He's really remorseful for his past actions and has had a lot of time to repent and turn his life around.
'I believe everyone deserves a second chance.'
Instant connection
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In September 2023, after watching him in a prison documentary, Carla fell for Ward.
He was working as a horse trainer - a job awarded to prisoners who show exceptional behaviour.
Carla says: 'He was only 17, so young at the time of his crime, I felt sorry for him, so decided to reach out and emailed him.'
The pair began talking and clicked straight away. Within a week Ward professed his love to Carla, calling her his 'soulmate'.
She says: 'I've always been attracted to older men. My last relationship was with a man 20 years my senior, so the 15 years between us wasn't an issue.'
The following month the couple met for the first time at a rodeo event in a Louisiana prison stadium that was open to the public.
Carla says: 'Joseph hugged me and introduced me as his girlfriend to his sister and mum who were visiting.
'He even told some of the guards, too.
'It felt really natural and we shared kisses throughout the day.'
I've always been attracted to older men. My last relationship was with a man 20 years my senior, so the 15 years between us wasn't an issue
Carla Ward
That day Ward told her that when he was 17, in a drug-induced stupor, him and friend Robert Smith kidnapped and killed Smith's sister Christy, 24.
According to Carla, Ward insisted he didn't pull the trigger.
Carla says: 'He regrets his actions every day and wishes he'd never been there.
'But he had a hard upbringing and was maltreated himself. He'll have guilt forever.'
After their first date the pair continued to talk daily over the phone - and in December 2023, Carla visited her mum, 58, to confess that the man she had been dating was a convicted criminal.
She recalls: 'I handed Mum my phone and told her Joseph was on the other end and wanted to talk to her.
'But then I explained how the call was being recorded because he was in prison.
'Her mouth dropped open and she couldn't believe it, but she still spoke to him.'
During their conversation Ward asked permission to marry Carla, which her mum granted.
Carla says: 'At first Mum was shocked, and obviously it isn't an ideal union any parent would want for their child.
'But she could tell how much we were in love, so gave her blessing. I was so happy."
Proposal
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In January 2024, Ward proposed during a jail visit, and 16 months later, in May this year, Carla had a hen do with close friends in New Orleans to celebrate her up-coming wedding.
She explains: 'My three best friends support us, and those that don't agree don't say anything rude, they just don't understand how the relationship is functional.
'They think I'll regret being with him and I'm crazy for having a marriage with someone behind bars.
'They worry how he'll be when he's released after being institutionalised.
'But I reassure them that our love is real and he's worth waiting for.'
They think I'll regret being with him and I'm crazy for having a marriage with someone behind bars
Carla Ward
Carla says she's regularly trolled by strangers online for her unusual relationship choice.
She says: 'If I post a picture of us together on social media, I get asked a lot if he's a sex offender, which is horrible.
'They say our love is disgusting and that I'm throwing my life away with an older man who's behind bars.
'Once someone said he'll probably kill me when he gets out. It's awful.'
Carla makes the 10-hour round trip to visit Ward in prison once a month, and while their relationship is unconventional, she insists Joseph is the love of her life.
She says: 'I can't wait to spend the rest of mine with him as husband and wife.'
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UK Prison Brides
Tracey Bottomley married double murderer Ernest Otto Smith in the US after meeting through a prison pen pal initiative. Tracey, from West Yorks, knew he had been given a life sentence with no possibility of parole
Rebecca Short, from Oxfordshire, told her family she was on holiday in the US in 2022. Little did they know she was marrying double murderer Manuel Ovate Jr, who was on death row
Paula Williamson, an actress who appeared on Hollyoaks and Emmerdale, married the infamous Charles Bronson in 2017 after they became penpals
Karen Charves married Kenny Richey while he was on death row in 2014. He had been convicted for starting a fire in 1986 that killed his ex-girlfriend's daughter, aged two. Karen and Kenny's union did not last and she claimed he was abusive.
Naomi Wise, from Essex, married Victor Oquendo, nicknamed Animal, while he was serving a 24-year prison term in a US jail. They split up in 2022 but have now rekindled their romance
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