Joseph Corcoran Executed for 1997 Quadruple Murder

Joseph Edward Corcoran, convicted of murdering four individuals in 1997, was executed by lethal injection in Indiana, marking the state's first execution in 15 years. Corcoran, 49, was pronounced dead at 12:44 a.m. CST after a lengthy judicial process that included multiple appeals, all of which were denied despite claims of severe mental illness. His last meal request was Ben & Jerry's ice cream, and he expressed indifference in his final words, stating, 'Not really. Let’s get this over with.' The Indiana Department of Correction implemented the execution using pentobarbital, a drug not mentioned in their initial statements. Corcoran's case involved tensions surrounding his sister's impending marriage that contributed to his actions during the murders, which included his brother and sister's fiancé. His execution was met with controversy, particularly from advocates who highlighted his mental health issues and the ethical implications of the death penalty.