Indiana carries out third execution since last year for rapist and killer of 15-year-old girl
In Indiana, a case that has spanned over two decades has reached its conclusion with the execution of Roy Lee Ward, convicted in the 2001 rape and murder of 15-year-old Stacy Payne. The execution, carried out by lethal injection at the Indiana State Prison in Michigan City, marks the state’s third execution since the resumption of capital punishment last year.
Execution Details at Indiana State Prison
Roy Lee Ward, aged 53, was administered the lethal injection shortly after midnight on Friday, with death pronounced at 12:33 a.m., according to a statement from the Indiana Department of Correction. Ward’s last meal came from Texas Corral and included a burger. His last words reportedly were, “Brian is going to read them,” though further context remains unclear.
The Crime That Shocked Dale, Indiana
The tragic events unfolded in a small community near Dale, Indiana, where Ward attacked Stacy Payne in her family’s home. Authorities revealed that she succumbed to multiple stab wounds, arriving several hours post-assault. Ward, arrested at the scene with the weapon in hand, had exhausted all legal avenues over the years.
Controversies Surrounding Indiana’s Lethal Injection Practices
Ward’s execution has reignited discussions on Indiana’s use of the sedative pentobarbital. After last year’s resumption of executions – paused for over 15 years due to drug availability issues – the state affirmed it secured an adequate supply for protocols. However, Ward’s legal team raised concerns about its storage and efficacy.
Among the 27 states enforcing the death penalty, Indiana remains one of the few that restrict media access to witness executions. Present for Ward’s execution were legal representatives and spiritual advisers.
The Long Trail of Legal Proceedings
Following his 2002 conviction and death sentence, the Indiana Supreme Court overturned Ward’s sentence, calling for a retrial. In 2007, Ward pled guilty, and by 2019 he sought to halt ongoing executions in the state. As the case ascended to the U.S. Supreme Court in 2017, his appeal was denied.
Community and Familial Impact
Stacy Payne’s family has been vocal in their pursuit of justice, remembering her as an honor student and cheerleader with a lasting impact. The family has voiced their ongoing emotional struggle, saying, “Now our family gatherings are no longer whole, holidays still empty. Birthdays are sad reminders of what we lost,” explained her mother, Julie Wininger, to the parole board last month.
Concerns Regarding Ward’s Mental Health
Recent developments revealed Ward’s diagnosis with autism spectrum disorder, which his attorneys said impaired his communication. Ward bypassed the parole interview, aiming to spare Payne’s family the ordeal and citing his communication challenges. Prior to his execution, spiritual adviser Deacon Brian Nosbusch shared that Ward was contemplative about his actions and deeply remorseful.
This chapter closes a painful saga for all involved, yet opens a dialogue on justice and the morality of capital punishment practices in Indiana.
