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[[Image:BrandonWard.jpg|thumb|right|180px|Brandon Ward]]
'''Brandon Michael Ward''' is a former U.S. Marine convicted of second-degree murder and attempted second-degree murder for a [[June 25]], [[2006]] incident in which he stabbed two men, [[Joseph Hall]] and [[Joseph Ruinato]]. Hall died from the injuries. Ward was sentenced to life in prison on [[July 19]], [[2007]].
Attorney [[Leo Thomas]] defended Ward under Florida's "[[Stand Your Ground]]" law, passed on [[October 1]], [[2005]], on the grounds that Ward regularly stayed at Sparling's house and was justified in using deadly force. "This is a tragedy for everyone involved. There's no question about it," Thomas said. "But the evidence will show it was an honest case of self-defense."<ref>"'I thought he punched me.'" ''Pensacola News Journal'', May 16, 2007.</ref>
Thomas portrayed the fatal altercation as being instigated by Hall and Ruinato, citing the former's MySpace page — â which had the address "joehallwillkillyourfamily"<ref>http://myspace.com/joehallwillkillyourfamily</ref> and featured a violent music video by the band Waking the Cadaver<ref>"Networking sites play new rols in legal battles." ''Pensacola News Journal'', July 19, 2007.</ref> — â as an alleged indicator of Hall's violent tendencies. The prosecution claimed that Ward was hiding in the bushes when the others arrived, and that the stabbings were unprovoked.
A jury found Ward guilty on [[May 24]], [[2007]]. On [[July 19]], [[2007]], Ward was sentenced by Circuit Court Judge [[Ron Swanson]] to serve life in prison for the murder of Hall. He received an additional 25-year sentence for the attempted murder of Ruinato, which Ward will serve concurrently.<ref>"Ward gets life" ''Pensacola News Journal'', July 19, 2007.</ref>