Ward v. Commonwealth

A jury convicted John Lewis Ward of voluntary manslaughter and fixed his punishment at three years in the penitentiary.

During an argument on November 26, 1973, Ward shot Benjamin Daniel in the head. Daniel remained in the hospital until his death on February 6, 1974. Dr. R. C. Henry, Medical Examiner for the City of Richmond, performed a post-mortem examination. His report listed six “pathological diagnoses” and cited “[g] unshot wound of head” as the “probable cause of death.” Dr. Henry died before Ward was brought to trial.

Over defendant’s objection, the autopsy report was admitted into…