Indiana Supreme Court Upholds October 10 Execution Date for Roy Lee Ward

The Indiana Supreme Court has set the final execution date for Roy Lee Ward, who was convicted of the 2001 rape and murder of 15-year-old Stacy Payne, for October 10, 2025. Ward, who was sentenced to death twice after a successful appeal and retrial, has repeatedly challenged the execution through legal appeals, including claims that the lethal injection drug pentobarbital causes severe pain, potentially violating the Eighth Amendment. The court rejected these claims, stating Ward failed to meet the legal burden to reopen his case and emphasizing the administrative necessity of setting the execution date. While the execution date is now official, Ward’s legal team may still seek relief through other state or federal courts or request clemency from Governor Mike Braun. The execution would mark Indiana’s third in under a year, following two recent executions that raised concerns about the execution method. Ward's case has been highly contested over more than two decades, with his defense continuing to challenge the use and procurement of the lethal injection drugs.