State executes Roy Lee Ward for rape and murder
MICHIGAN CITY, Ind. (WISH) — The state has executed death row inmate Roy Lee Ward for the 2001 rape and murder of a teenage girl in Spencer County. It’s the state’s third execution since resuming capital punishment last year.
Ward, 53, was put to death at the Indiana State Prison in Michigan City. Indiana Department of Correction said in a statement that the process started shortly after midnight and Ward was pronounced dead at 12:33 a.m. The execution came two days after Ward dropped two federal lawsuits that were his final attempts to delay his execution or have his death sentence commuted.
“Roy Lee Ward’s case has been heard and reviewed numerous times by both state and federal courts, including the Indiana Supreme Court, since his conviction in 2002. These reviews have never resulted in an overturned sentence.” Governor Mike Braun said in a statement. “The State Parole Board issued a unanimous recommendation to deny Ward’s final appeal for clemency and that his execution proceed as scheduled. Today, Ward’s sentence has been carried out as ordered by the court.”…