re: Anyone know what happened to Garrett Ward?

Every criminal defense attorney is different regarding fees. Some guys would take a murder case for $15k, others $100k. Some will take a down payment with monthly payments, others lump sum up front. The risk for the attorney is not getting enough money up front and then not being able to withdraw from the case for nonpayment. And the attorney can forget ever getting paid any balance owing after the trial. Even if he wins the trial, forget it. Criminal clients have little concern for honoring contractual obligations.

If it’s early enough in the case, the attorney can usually withdraw for nonpayment but it really depends on the judge. Judges often don’t care if an attorney is stuck working for free. Late in the case, forget it. The attorney is stuck working for free.