Fresno nanny kidnapper maintains innocence even as he gets centuries-long sentence
Joseph Ward, the man convicted of kidnapping and sexually assaulting a nanny in northeast Fresno in 2018, was sentenced to 281-years-to-life in prison on Friday.
Ward was found guilty on Aug. 29, 2019 of 12 felonies, including sexual assault, robbery and kidnapping.
At his sentencing Friday before Judge Kristi Culver Kapetan, Ward read a lengthy statement that was at times conciliatory, hostile and mostly defiant. He continued to maintain his innocence, saying police arrested the wrong man. He also accused Kapetan of being biased and the victim of not having the courage to face him in court.
“I know you can’t look me in the face and and say I did this,” Ward said in the direction of the victim’s parents. The victim was not present.
Prosecutor Rick Thomas chastised Ward for his statement.
“As usual he has misstated many facts and spun things his way and the best you can do is to blame the victim to say she somehow made it up,” Thomas said. “It’s insulting.”
Ward told Kapetan that while he respects her as a judge, he also did not think she was fair during his trial. He also did not want leniency.
“I am facing 400 years to life and ask you for zero mercy,” he said to the judge. “I did not commit this crime. I will not plead, I will not beg, I will not ask for nothing from you or this court because I did nothing wrong.”
Kapetan said it is unfortunate Ward believed she was out to get him.
“I did everything in accordance with the law and I did not harbor any ill will toward you Mr. Ward,” she said. “I do not take any joy in pronouncing sentences, but it is part of my job. And I have taken an oath to uphold the law and I’m doing it to the best of my human ability.”
Attorney plans appeal
Ward’s attorney Kendall Simsarian, whose motion for a new trial was denied, said he will file an appeal of Ward’s conviction. Simsarian said there was little to no physical evidence at the crime scene and there were other viable suspects who detectives ignored in favor of Ward.
According to Investigators, on June 22, 2018 Ward came across the 25-year-old victim while she was taking her morning walk with the child in her care. Ward followed them.
He caught up with her just outside the home where the child lived. Ward asked for water, money and her phone as a ruse to try and get inside. Eventually he overpowered the victim and forced his way into the house where he sexually assaulted her twice. The baby was not injured.
It took the jury just a few hours to find him guilty. Ward admitted Friday he did not help his case with his disruptive behavior, including arguing with his lawyer, spitting at her and collapsing while on the witness stand. He claimed he was suffering from kidney stones at the time.
This story was originally published November 13, 2020 at 10:37 AM.
