Latest news with #JosephWard
The Sun
3 days ago
- The Sun
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. 12 12 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 12 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 12 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 12 12 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.' 12 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
USA Today
01-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Joseph Ward Player Props: May 1, Angels vs. Tigers
Joseph Ward Player Props: May 1, Angels vs. Tigers Joseph Ward has his sights set on a more productive performance after going hitless in his previous game (0-for-3). He and the Los Angeles Angels face the Detroit Tigers on Thursday, who will send out Casey Mize to start, at 9:38 p.m. ET on FDSW and FDSDET. Find odds, stats, and more below to make your Joseph Ward player prop bets. Ward has four doubles, six home runs and seven walks while batting .189. In MLB play, Ward ranks 31st in homers and 159th in RBI. Watch tonight's Angels game on Fubo! Joseph Ward Prop Bets and Odds Hits Prop: 0.5 hits (Over odds: -222) 0.5 hits (Over odds: -222) Home Runs Prop: 0.5 home runs (Over odds: +575) 0.5 home runs (Over odds: +575) RBI Prop: 0.5 RBI (Over odds: +180) 0.5 RBI (Over odds: +180) Runs Prop: 0.5 runs (Over odds: +125) 0.5 runs (Over odds: +125) Total Bases Prop: 1.5 total bases (Over odds: +135) 1.5 total bases (Over odds: +135) Stolen Bases Prop: 0.5 stolen bases (Over odds: +1150) How to Watch Los Angeles Angels vs. Detroit Tigers Matchup: Los Angeles Angels vs. Detroit Tigers Los Angeles Angels vs. Detroit Tigers Time: 9:38 p.m. ET 9:38 p.m. ET Date: Thursday, May 1, 2025 Thursday, May 1, 2025 TV Channel: FDSW and FDSDET FDSW and FDSDET Live Stream: Fubo (Watch now! - Regional restrictions may apply) Joseph Ward vs. Casey Mize Ward is 0-for-4 in his career against Casey Mize. Against Casey Mize last year, Ward was 0-for-2. Joseph Ward prop bet insights Ward has a hit in 17 of 28 games this season, with multiple hits in three of them. In 17.9% of his games this season, he has homered (five of 28). During the 2025 campaign, he's left the yard in 5% of his trips to the plate. In 11 of 28 games this season (39.3%), Ward has scored at least one run, including two games with multiple runs scored. In eight of 28 games this year he has tallied an RBI, and he has one game with multiple RBI. Ward has gone down on strikes at least once 16 times this year in 28 tries (57.1%), including punching out on multiple occasions in 35.7% of games (10 times). MLB odds courtesy of BetMGM Sportsbook. Odds updated Thursday at 1:25 p.m. ET. For a full list of sports betting odds, access USA TODAY Sports Betting Scores Odds Hub. Joseph Ward stats against the Tigers Date Opp. SP H/AB XBH HR RBI R K/BB SB 8/29/2024 Keider Montero 1-for-3 0 0 0 0 0/1 1 8/28/2024 Mason Englert 1-for-4 0 0 0 0 0/0 0 8/27/2024 Brant Hurter 1-for-3 1 0 1 1 0/0 0 6/30/2024 Casey Mize 0-for-3 0 0 0 0 1/0 0 6/29/2024 Reese Olson 1-for-4 1 0 2 1 1/1 0 6/28/2024 Kenta Maeda 2-for-4 0 0 0 1 0/0 0 6/27/2024 Jack Flaherty 0-for-3 0 0 0 0 1/0 0 7/27/2023 Matt Manning 0-for-4 0 0 0 1 0/1 0 7/27/2023 Michael Lorenzen 2-for-4 2 2 3 2 1/0 0 7/25/2023 Eduardo Rodríguez 1-for-4 0 0 2 0 2/0 0 Tigers starter: Casey Mize Mize toes the rubber for the Tigers in his sixth of the season. He is 4-1 with a 2.12 ERA and 23 Ks through 29 2/3 innings pitched. The right-hander's last appearance was on Saturday versus the Baltimore Orioles, as he tossed 5 1/3 innings, giving up one earned run while surrendering eight hits. In five outings this season, the 28-year-old has a 2.12 ERA and 7 strikeouts per nine frames, while surrendering a batting average of .216 to opposing batters. This season, Mize has posted two quality starts.
USA Today
29-04-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Joseph Ward Player Props: April 29, Angels vs. Mariners
Joseph Ward Player Props: April 29, Angels vs. Mariners Joseph Ward will try for a better showing after a hitless showing in his most recent game (0-for-3). He and the Los Angeles Angels face the Seattle Mariners on Tuesday, who will send out Bryce Miller to start, at 9:40 p.m. ET on ROOT Sports NW and FDSW. Find odds, stats, and more below to make your Joseph Ward player prop bets. Ward is hitting .194 with four doubles, six home runs and six walks. In baseball, Ward ranks 24th in home runs and 144th in RBI. Watch tonight's Angels game on Fubo! Joseph Ward Prop Bets and Odds Hits Prop: 0.5 hits (Over odds: -161) 0.5 hits (Over odds: -161) Home Runs Prop: 0.5 home runs (Over odds: +475) 0.5 home runs (Over odds: +475) RBI Prop: 0.5 RBI (Over odds: +190) 0.5 RBI (Over odds: +190) Runs Prop: 0.5 runs (Over odds: +150) 0.5 runs (Over odds: +150) Total Bases Prop: 0.5 total bases (Over odds: -167) 0.5 total bases (Over odds: -167) Stolen Bases Prop: 0.5 stolen bases (Over odds: +825) How to Watch Los Angeles Angels vs. Seattle Mariners Matchup: Los Angeles Angels vs. Seattle Mariners Los Angeles Angels vs. Seattle Mariners Time: 9:40 p.m. ET 9:40 p.m. ET Date: Tuesday, April 29, 2025 Tuesday, April 29, 2025 TV Channel: ROOT Sports NW and FDSW ROOT Sports NW and FDSW Live Stream: Fubo (Watch now! - Regional restrictions may apply) Joseph Ward vs. Bryce Miller Ward is 4-for-9 with two doubles and a home run in his career against Bryce Miller. Last season against Bryce Miller, Ward went 4-for-9 with two doubles and a home run at the plate. Joseph Ward prop bet insights Ward has reached base with a hit 17 times this season in 27 games played (63%), including multiple hits in 11.1% of them (three times). He has hit a long ball in five games this season (27 opportunities, 18.5%), going deep in 5.2% of his trips to the plate. In 11 of 27 games this season (40.7%), Ward has scored at least a run, including two games with multiple runs scored. In eight of 27 games this season he has produced a run, and he has one game with multiple RBI. Ward has struck out one or more times 15 times this season in 27 games played (55.6%), including nine times striking out multiple times (33.3%). MLB odds courtesy of BetMGM Sportsbook. Odds updated Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. ET. For a full list of sports betting odds, access USA TODAY Sports Betting Scores Odds Hub. Joseph Ward stats against the Mariners Mariners starter: Bryce Miller
