Indiana Supreme Court sets tentative execution date for death row inmate Roy Lee Ward
Questions remain about whether the state will have access to the execution drugs needed for an Oct. 10 execution date.
Death Penalty
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More executions? Some doubts rise amid concerns about the high cost of lethal-injection drugs
State officials spent $1.175 million on lethal injection doses over the past year — $600,000 of which was spent on drugs that expired before use.
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Will there be more executions in Indiana in 2025?
Last month, Indiana ended its 15-year pause on the execution of inmates sentenced to death. However, legislation already has been filed in the Indiana General Assembly that would repeal the state’s death penalty.
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Web exclusive: SCOTUS decision ‘shuts door’ on ineffective counsel claims brought in federal court
In the winter of 2021, two death row prisoners raised claims in habeas corpus proceedings that their trial attorneys were constitutionally ineffective. But the nation’s highest court split in a decision last month ruling that they could not introduce evidence outside of the state court record due to restrictions imposed by a federal law.
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Year in Review: COVID aside, Barrett’s ascent to SCOTUS tops year’s biggest legal news stories
COVID may have seemed like the only thing that happened in 2020, but for Indiana’s legal community, the past year brought watershed developments that will be with us for years to come, many of which were touched directly by the pandemic. Here are the Top 10 non-coronavirus Indiana legal news stories as determined by consensus of the Indiana Lawyer editorial staff.
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Articles
Indiana seeks execution date for death row inmate Roy Lee Ward
The Indiana Attorney General’s Office requested an execution date on Friday for death row inmate Roy Lee Ward, the Spencer County man convicted in 2007 for the rape and murder of 15‑year‑old Stacy Payne.
Braun clarifies Indiana acquisition of execution drugs; reveals more than $1M spent
Four doses of execution drugs were purchased — some which were used while others expired.
Braun says Indiana out of execution drugs, signals willingness to debate death penalty
Indiana has exhausted its supply of lethal injection drugs after carrying out two executions in the past six months — and Gov. Mike Braun said Tuesday he doesn’t plan to buy more, at least for now.
‘Violent’ moment during Indiana execution draws scrutiny; DOC officials deny ‘botched’ process
Questions remain about Benjamin Ritchie’s early Tuesday execution after his attorneys reported seeing sudden, unexpected movement during the lethal injection process.
State executes death row inmate Benjamin Ritchie for fatal shooting of police officer
Death row inmate Benjamin Ritchie was executed by lethal injection shortly after midnight Tuesday at the Indiana State Prison in Michigan City, according to Department of Correction officials.
Indiana set to execute man who killed officer; family ‘needs closure,’ but lawyers say it’s unjust
Nearly 25 years after the killing, the state is hours away from carrying out Benjamin Ritchie’s death sentence. He’s scheduled to be executed by lethal injection just after midnight Tuesday.
Governor denies clemency for death row inmate Benjamin Ritchie
Gov. Mike Braun announced his decision Wednesday afternoon, saying that he decided to let Ritchie’s execution “proceed as planned” on May 20.
Indiana Parole Board denies clemency for death row inmate; final decision now up to governor
The Indiana Parole Board rejected a clemency plea from Benjamin Ritchie, recommending that Gov. Mike Braun allow the death row inmate’s May 20 execution to proceed as scheduled.
Clemency hearings end for Indiana death row inmate
Whether death row inmate Benjamin Ritchie will be executed on May 20 is now up to the state parole board and Gov. Mike Braun.
Indiana death row inmate seeks SCOTUS intervention weeks before scheduled execution
The high court requests are in response to a 2-2 decision handed down late last month by Indiana’s Supreme Court justices, which shut the door on any further legal challenges in state or federal courts.
Five news outlets file lawsuit to open executions to press
Indiana is one of only two states with a death penalty law that doesn’t provide for media witnesses.
‘I am so sorry’: Clemency hearings begin for Indiana death row inmate Benjamin Ritchie
Indiana death row inmate Benjamin Ritchie expressed remorse and shed tears as he pleaded Monday for the state’s parole board to spare his life.
State’s response ordered in execution stay request of Indiana death row inmate
The Indiana Supreme Court has ordered the state to submit motions in response to death row inmate Benjamin Ritchie’s counsel, who requested a stay and oral arguments last week.
High court sets May 20 execution date for murderer of Beech Grove police officer
A divided Indiana Supreme Court denied condemned murderer Benjamin Ritchie’s request to seek post-conviction relief.
Supreme Court throws out Oklahoma inmate’s murder conviction and death sentence
The justices found that Glossip’s trial violated his constitutional rights because prosecutors did not turn over evidence that might have bolstered his defense.
Fort Wayne legislator makes case for hearing, passage of his anti-death penalty bill
A Republican legislator made a public plea Monday for his bill to abolish Indiana’s death penalty, arguing that the state’s execution process was flawed and didn’t serve as a deterrent for “heinous crimes.”
News outlet sues over Indiana’s refusal to disclose cost of lethal injection drug
A press freedom group representing the Indiana Capital Chronicle has filed a lawsuit in Marion Superior Court alleging the Indiana Department of Correction violated public records law by declining to reveal the cost of the lethal injection drug used in Joseph Corcoran’s December execution.
Greg Weaver: Cost of the state’s executions shouldn’t be a secret
The secrecy surrounding the return of death penalty executions in Indiana isn’t exactly doing much to bolster public confidence in what some consider to be an inhumane act.
Biden gives life in prison to 37 of 40 federal death row inmates so Trump can’t have them executed
President Joe Biden announced on Monday that he is commuting the sentences of 37 of the 40 people on federal death row, converting their punishments to life imprisonment just weeks before President-elect Donald Trump, an outspoken proponent of expanding capital punishment, takes office.