Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Emmet Gym Arson Case Set For February 3

There will be no problems with the speedy trial laws when Richard Matthew Ward's case goes to trial Feb. 3.

Ward, 19, and his wife, Latisha, have been charged with the Nov. 19 arson of the Emmet school gymnasium. A pre-trial hearing in this case was held Thursday, Jan. 16.

Arson is a class Y felony, punishable by 10-40 years or life in prison.

Ward's attorney, Chuck Honey had filed a motion to suppress a statement given to authorities by Ward's wife, claiming husband-wife confidentiality.

However, Eighth Judicial Circuit Judge Jim Gunter questioned Honey as to the nature of the statement involved, only to be told the most damning quote was "Let's go riding around," by Matt Ward.

Honey then withdrew his motion.

Ward has been undergoing psychiatric testing at the SWAC&MC in Texarkana. To date, there are no results from these tests.

However, preliminary results from testing show him to be competent to stand trial and assist in his own defense. Honey, though, argued his client had only spent four hours in examinations, and this isn't enough time for proper testing. He said Ward should be sent to the Arkansas State Mental Hospital for testing.

Gunter disagreed, saying the court will abide by what is found at the Texarkana unit. "You need evidence to send him to the state hospital," the judge told Honey.

Honey also claimed there was a second statement made by Ward's wife, which he had not been given a copy of. However, deputy prosecuting attorney, Danny Rodgers, said the only statement he was aware of is the one in the court records.

Ward's attorney voiced his concerns over Ward's wife being called by the prosecution as an adverse witness. Honey told the court he had received a letter stating the prosecution's intent to do this.

According to Honey, she is charged with the same crime, and this is not possible.

Rodgers rebutted, saying the prosecution could grant Mrs. Ward qualified immunity in her husband's case.

Gunter said it sounded like the prosecution agreed with the defense and would allow her to testify in her husband's case as an adverse witness.

According to the affidavit of arrest for Ward, he, along with another, started a fire for the purpose of destroying an occupiable structure which was the property of another, the Emmet gym.

Records show the fire was reported at 1:21 a.m., with the first fire departments arriving at 1:30 a.m.

By the time firefighters arrived, though, the blaze had spread and was out of control.

Witnesses, according to court records, said there appeared to be a trial of clothing leading from the gym, down a hill and toward the tennis courts on the north side of the campus.

Authorities were notified a man had been admitted to Medical Park Hospital in Hope at 2:01 a.m. with burns. Officers with the Hope Police Department were dispatched to the hospital to see if there was a connection in the two incidents.

Ward's wife allegedly told officers he was burned while pouring gasoline into a burn barrel.

Ward was transported from MPH to Arkansas Children's Hospital's burn unit in Little Rock.

Scott Clark, a criminal investigator with the Arkansas State Police, along with an investigator with the Texarkana, Ark. Fire Department, did a fire scene search using a arson dog, Zeus.

The dog reportedly "hit" on several spots, with samples taken from them, determining the fire had been set intentionally.

According to court records, officers spoke further with Ward's wife, who later gave a written account of what happened.

The affidavit states she drove her husband to Emmet, with him getting out of the car with at least one container of gasoline.

Records show she drove around for a while, later stopping behind the gymnasium where she saw her husband on fire and running from the structure.

She reportedly helped him put the fire out and took him to MPH in Hope.

Latisha Ward was the first of the two to be arrested and charged with arson, with her arrest coming Nov. 19. Her pre-trial hearing is scheduled for May 7, 1997, with a preliminary trial date set for May 19.

Matthew Ward's trial is scheduled to begin on the same day as the rape trial of DeChay Wilson.

Rodgers said Wilson will be tried first, with Ward going on trial later in the week, depending on what happens.

Rodgers told the court he would like to pick juries for both cases Feb. 3.