The US Sun – A CONVICTED murderer who raped and killed a 15-year-old girl more than two decades ago has been executed by lethal injection, bringing an end to a case that haunted a small Midwestern community.
The death marked the third execution since the state resumed capital punishment last year.
The execution began shortly after midnight, according to the Indiana Department of Correction.
Ward was convicted for the 2001 rape and murder of Stacy Payne, whose killing horrified the small southern Indiana town of Dale, about 30 miles east of Evansville, CBS News reported.
Authorities said Ward broke into the Payne family home, attacked Stacy with a knife and a dumbbell, and stabbed her multiple times.
She died hours later from her injuries.
Police found Ward still holding a knife when they arrived, according to investigators.
The case shook the rural community of roughly 1,500 people, sparking national headlines at the time.
Ward’s execution capped more than 20 years of court battles.
His attorney, Joanna Green, said earlier this week that Ward was “very remorseful” and had accepted responsibility for his crimes.
Ward’s final meal came from Texas Corral and included a hamburger, prison officials said.
His last words were reportedly, “Brian is going to read them,” though it’s unclear what he meant or when he said it.
The execution came amid renewed scrutiny over Indiana’s use of the sedative pentobarbital in lethal injections …
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