Indiana Supreme Court Sets Tentative Execution Date for Death Row Inmate

The Indiana Supreme Court has set a tentative execution date of October 10, 2025, for Roy Lee Ward, who was convicted of raping and murdering 15-year-old Stacy Payne in 2001. Ward's attorneys are contesting the execution timeline, citing concerns about the state's ability to carry out the execution constitutionally, especially given the lack of transparency about the lethal injection drugs and their costs. Indiana Governor Mike Braun announced the state has no available lethal injection drugs and has paused purchasing new doses due to their high cost and short shelf life. The court's setting of the tentative date is an administrative action that allows various state and federal officials to prepare, though the final execution depends on further rulings and possible legal challenges. Ward’s case has been retried, and he was sentenced to death twice, with no further grounds for review of his conviction or sentence currently available. The case highlights ongoing debates in Indiana regarding capital punishment logistics and policy.