CHICAGO (AP) — An Indiana man convicted in the 2001 rape and murder of a teenage girl was executed by injection early Friday in the state’s third execution since resuming capital punishment last year. Roy Lee Ward, 53, was put to death at the Indiana State Prison in Michigan City. He was convicted in the brutal murder of 15-year-old Stacy Payne, who was attacked in her family’s home with a knife and dumbbell, a crime that deeply affected the tight-knit community of Dale, Indiana.
Ward had exhausted his legal options over more than two decades. His attorney stated days before the execution that Ward expressed remorse for his crime. As tension surrounded the event, concerns were raised regarding Indiana’s management of pentobarbital, the drug used in lethal injections. State officials had announced last year the ability to acquire necessary execution drugs after a long hiatus.
The Indiana Department of Correction claimed to have sufficient pentobarbital for the execution, though Ward's attorneys had voiced worries about the drug's storage and handling. Indiana is among just two states that restrict media presence during executions, limiting observers primarily to attorneys and spiritual advisors.
Ward was initially sentenced to death in 2002, but after an overturning by the Indiana Supreme Court, he ultimately accepted a guilty plea in 2007. Following multiple legal challenges that went up to the U.S. Supreme Court, the courts affirmed the validity of his execution order.
The victim's family has expressed a profound sense of loss, emphasizing the ongoing emotional impact since her death. Julie Wininger, Stacy’s mother, articulated the family’s tragedy, stating that holidays trigger memories of their significant loss. Ward, diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder, chose not to attend a clemency hearing to avoid further distressing the victim's family.
As the execution drew closer, Ward's spiritual advisor indicated that he possessed a deep understanding of the gravity of his actions, acknowledging the horror of the crime he committed.
Ward had exhausted his legal options over more than two decades. His attorney stated days before the execution that Ward expressed remorse for his crime. As tension surrounded the event, concerns were raised regarding Indiana’s management of pentobarbital, the drug used in lethal injections. State officials had announced last year the ability to acquire necessary execution drugs after a long hiatus.
The Indiana Department of Correction claimed to have sufficient pentobarbital for the execution, though Ward's attorneys had voiced worries about the drug's storage and handling. Indiana is among just two states that restrict media presence during executions, limiting observers primarily to attorneys and spiritual advisors.
Ward was initially sentenced to death in 2002, but after an overturning by the Indiana Supreme Court, he ultimately accepted a guilty plea in 2007. Following multiple legal challenges that went up to the U.S. Supreme Court, the courts affirmed the validity of his execution order.
The victim's family has expressed a profound sense of loss, emphasizing the ongoing emotional impact since her death. Julie Wininger, Stacy’s mother, articulated the family’s tragedy, stating that holidays trigger memories of their significant loss. Ward, diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder, chose not to attend a clemency hearing to avoid further distressing the victim's family.
As the execution drew closer, Ward's spiritual advisor indicated that he possessed a deep understanding of the gravity of his actions, acknowledging the horror of the crime he committed.
