Brandon Ward

This article documents a current event. Information may change rapidly as the event progresses.

Brandon Michael Ward is a U.S. Marine charged with second-degree murder and attempted second-degree murder for a June 25, 2006 incident in which he stabbed two men, Joey Hall and Joseph Ruinato. Hall died from the injuries.

According to testimony, Ward had been kicked out of a party in East Milton for allegedly attacking his girlfriend, Samanta Sparling. After being comforted by others at the party, Sparling was driven to her Munson Highway home by Ruinato, Hall and another teenage girl. Ward's car was present when they arrived. He stabbed both men three times with a butterfly knife.

Ward's trial began on May 14, 2007. His defense attorney, Leo Thomas, has stated he will invoke Florida's "Stand Your Ground" law, passed on October 1, 2005. (The incident occurred at Sparling's house, but Ward regularly stayed there on weekends.) According to Thomas, "This is a tragedy for everyone involved. There's no question about it. But the evidence will show it was an honest case of self-defense."