ORANGE COUNTY, Fla.,None — A gun that prosecutors said Isleworth developer Bob Ward used to kill his wife was shown in court to an Orange County jury on Friday. The millionaire is accused of killing his wife inside their Isleworth home in 2009. Ward changed his story a few times. During a 911 call on the night of the shooting, Ward told the operator that he shot his wife, Diane, but then later said she shot herself.
As testimony continued in the murder trial, jurors saw gruesome crime scene photos. WFTV was there when Ward put his head down in court as the photos of his wife's body were shown.
JAILHOUSE VISIT: Part 1 | Part 2
The defense tried unsuccessfully to keep out evidence concerning a purple stain on the back of Ward's shirt, which prosecutors said they believe is wine. That stain could help prosecutors refute the defense's theory that the shooting happened out of the blue.
Ward covered his face with his hand as prosecutors showed the jury the first photographs of his wife's body on the floor of the master bedroom inside their mansion. His daughters had left the courtroom before the photos were shown.
"Objection your honor, asked and answered, and I object to the narrative form of testimony," said Ward's attorney.
"Sustained," replied Judge Jenifer Davis.
The defense fought against the evidence of the stain on Ward's shirt, which prosecutors said matches a purple stain on the bed sheets.
Prosecutors said it could show Ward laid on the bed at some point before the shooting, and that the stains could be the result of a fight downstairs on the patio where they also found a purple stain and a broken wine glass.
The defense claims Ward's wife went upstairs first and when Ward followed, she suddenly appeared behind him in the dark holding a loaded gun.
Jurors were taking notes and a few of them glanced at Ward from time to time during the testimony. At times, Ward also gazed steadily their way.
Diane Ward's friend, Georgia Spearman, testified that she was on the phone with Diane a little more than an hour before the shooting, and she said Diane seemed fine and talked about her hopes for the future.
"'I can't wait to be a grandmother. Do you think I'll be a grandma, Georgia?'" Spearman told the court what Diane Ward said to her.
Spearman said Diane Ward hung up to prepare dinner for Bob Ward. Spearman did not look at Bob Ward as she left court.
Previous Stories: September 15, 2011: Ward's Daughter Testifies In Murder Trial September 14, 2011: Jury May Be Picked Soon In Millionaire Murder Trial September 13, 2011: Jury For Isleworth Murder Trial Not Set After 2 Days September 13, 2011: Trial Day 2 For Millionaire Accused Of Killing Wife September 12, 2011: Jury Selection Under Way In Millionaire's Murder Trial September 12, 2011: Isleworth Murder Trial Jury Selection Continues September 1, 2011: Ward's Lawyers Want Video Thrown Out Of Murder Trial March 21, 2011: Murder Suspect Wants Permission To Travel To Make Money March 9, 2011: Statements Tossed Out In Isleworth Murder Case February 16, 2011: Isleworth Millionaire May Have To Pay For Jail Stay February 4, 2011: Doctor's Testimony To Be Used To Defend Isleworth Millionaire December 16, 2010: Judge Withholds Ruling In Isleworth Murder Case December 1, 2010: Evidence Shows Isleworth Murder Suspect's DNA On Gun October 8, 2010: Millionaire Murder Suspect Wants Statements Tossed August 31, 2010: Accused Wife-Killer To Go On Trial Valentine's Day May 25, 2010: Isleworth Murder Suspect Loses Home April 23, 2010: Isleworth Suspect Can't Attend Daughter's Graduation February 11, 2010: Evidence Access Granted To Isleworth Suspect January 28, 2010: Document: No Gunshot Residue On Isleworth Suspect January 13, 2010: Judge Delays Releasing Isleworth Murder Case Evidence January 12, 2010: Motion For Extension Filed In Isleworth Murder January 4, 2010: Judge Blocks Release Of Evidence In Isleworth Murder Case December 21, 2009: Documents: Murder Suspect Had Wife's Blood On Shirt November 30, 2009: Autopsy Report Reveals Details In Isleworth Shooting November 7, 2009: Accused Wife Killer Attends Her Funeral November 3, 2009: Sheaffer: Ward Attending Funeral Is "Defense Strategy" October 21, 2009: Documents: Isleworth Murder Suspect Smiled, Sighed October 21, 2009: Documents: No Prints On Gun In Isleworth Murder Case
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