Bond denied in Liberty mom's death

Jonathan Ward's father and grandfather stood at the teenager's bond hearing, on a charge of murder connected to his mother's beating death, and offered him their love.

"I love you, we love you," his father Darren Ward said.

There were sniffles and tears from a dozen family members who sat in a small courtroom in Liberty, about two miles from the home on Golden Springs Drive, where 45-year-old Linda Ward was found dead Wednesday afternoon.

According to police, her son had called 911 to report a crime at the home and she was found with head trauma in the basement of the two-story house with blue siding.

Ward, wearing an orange jail jumpsuit, had walked into the courtroom escorted by police officers and said he would try to explain what happened. He was cut short before he could talk about it.

City judge Jenny Barwick denied bond, telling Ward and his family that a Circuit Court judge would be able to consider bond at a later date. After Barwick denied bond, Jonathan Ward's grandfather stood and looked at the 19-year-old.

He said the family would be hoping for the best and praying for him.

"We love you, son," he said, "and we forgive you."

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This story was originally published May 11, 2017 at 6:59 PM.