Published: May 01, 2008 03:44 pm            

Wrongful death suit in Ward case settled

Family of Pee Wee Walker settles with family of Adam Ward

The family of a slain Commerce code enforcement officer has agreed to settle a civil wrongful death lawsuit filed against the person convicted of capital murder in his death, as well as the defendant’s father.

Richard A. Walker filed the suit in the 354th District Court in June of last year on behalf of his son, Michael “Pee Wee” Walker and Walker’s two children. The suit alleged Adam Kelly Ward and his father, Ralph Beck Ward, were negligent in causing the events which led to Walker’s murder.

Following a hearing in the court Monday morning, both sides agreed to issued a statement noting a compromise had been reached and that the suit had been settled.

No one was found liable for Michael Walker’s death through the settlement of the suit. Rather, according to the agreement, “this settlement is a compromise of a doubtful and disputed claim” and Ralph Ward’s payments to Walker’s children, “is not to be construed as an admission of responsibility.”

Adam Ward received the death penalty following his conviction during a criminal trial on a charge of capital murder last summer. Adam Ward had been charged in connection with Walker’s shooting death on June 13, 2005. Walker was taking photos of code violations at the home where the Wards lived on Caddo Street when he and Adam Ward had an altercation which ended with Walker being shot multiple times.

The suit claimed that both Ralph and Adam Ward incited the conflict that day and that Ralph Ward “intentionally and/or negligently provoked and provided direction” to his son prior to the shooting.

Under the terms of the settlement, the Wards agreed to pay each of Michael Walker’s children a little more than $26,000 in a one-time annuity, with Donovan Walker receiving $8,125 per year for four years starting Nov. 5, 2012 and Marissa Walker receiving $9,355 per year for four years beginning April 156, 2015.

The Wards also agreed to reimburse the Walker family for Michael Walker’s funeral expenses and for attorney’s fees.

        

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