Alleged nanny kidnapper collapses in court after answering just one question from attorney
Tuesday update: Joseph Ward said he was still sick Tuesday, so Judge Kristi Culver Kapetan postponed proceedings until Wednesday. Ward’s lawyer, Amanda Moran, said she does’t know the nature of his illness.
Accused nanny kidnapper Joseph Ward collapsed in court Monday morning after answering just one question from his defense attorney.
The 35-year-old Ward was taken by ambulance to be examined by doctors. He did not return to court Monday afternoon, and it’s unclear what his condition is or whether he will come back at all to the hearing.
Judge Kristi Culver Kapetan halted Monday’s testimony after Ward’s medical emergency and later ordered the trial to resume Tuesday. It’s possible that closing arguments could begin, or Ward could re-take the stand.
Ward’s trial on kidnapping, sexual assault and robbery charges has been plagued by his behavior. He has argued several times with his attorney, Amanda Moran, who, despite Ward’s criticism, has been unwavering in her defense of him. On Friday, Ward asked the judge if he could represent himself, a request Kapetan denied.
Monday’s courtroom drama began even before the jury was seated. Ward, again, was argumentative with Moran, and Kapetan removed him from the courtroom. When he was allowed to come back, he appeared agitated and anxious.
Ward was Moran’s last witness and she began by asking him if he was familiar with the victim. He answered, “No.”
He muttered something about his stomach and then collapsed, tumbling from the witness stand to the floor. He appeared to be in pain as Fresno County Sheriff’s deputies rushed toward him. He was cuffed as stunned jurors were asked to leave the courtroom.
“My stomach is hurting. My stomach is hurting,” Ward shouted.
Kapetan cleared the courtroom. And despite the courtroom doors being closed, people in the hallway outside could hear Ward yelling for someone to help him.
Ward is facing a third strike and could be sent to prison for life if convicted. He is accused of attacking a 25-year-old nanny on June 22, 2018, in the northeast Fresno home where she worked. The nanny was out for a morning walk near Woodward Park with the child she cares for when Ward is alleged to have followed her home and sexually assaulted her. He also is accused of stealing her money from an ATM machine before fleeing in her car.
Moran’s defense is that there is no physical evidence linking Ward to the crime scene. She has also reminded the jurors that police were looking at two other suspects before charging Ward with the crime.
This story was originally published August 26, 2019 at 11:44 AM.
