Indiana is set to execute Roy Lee Ward, convicted in the 2001 rape and murder of 15-year-old Stacy Payne. This marks the state’s third execution since reinstating capital punishment in 2024. Ward, 52, has exhausted all legal avenues to challenge his death sentence, which is scheduled to occur before sunrise on Friday at the state prison in Michigan City.
Background of the Crime
On July 11, 2001, Roy Lee Ward broke into Stacy Payne’s home in Dale, Indiana. He brutally raped her and inflicted severe injuries with a dumbbell and knife. Despite being airlifted to a hospital, Stacy succumbed to her injuries hours later. The incident left a profound impact on the small community of Dale, which has a population of approximately 1,500.
Legal Proceedings
Ward was initially convicted of murder and rape in 2002. However, the Indiana Supreme Court later overturned his conviction, necessitating a new trial. In 2007, he pleaded guilty, and the U.S. Supreme Court declined to review his case in 2017. Ward has since attempted to challenge Indiana’s execution methods, arguing that they are arbitrary and violate evolving standards of decency.
Clemency Denial
Governor Mike Braun rejected Ward’s clemency request following a hearing that highlighted the brutal nature of the crime. Indiana’s attorney general emphasized Ward’s criminal history, labeling him “predatory and manipulative.”
Execution Method and Drug Controversy
Ward’s impending execution involves lethal injection, utilizing pentobarbital—a drug Indiana has faced scrutiny over. There are concerns regarding the drug’s efficacy and the conditions under which it is administered. The state has confirmed the availability of pentobarbital for the execution but has refrained from commenting further.
Community Response
A prayer vigil is scheduled to honor Stacy Payne just hours before Ward’s execution, where community members will share cherished memories of the young girl who was an honor student and cheerleader. Her mother, Julie Wininger, expressed the ongoing grief, stating, “We will never see Stacy smile again.”
Ward’s Status and Personal Reflections
Ward has been diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder. He declined interviews but conveyed feelings of remorse, expressing a desire to take away the pain he caused. His attorneys noted that he struggled to articulate his emotions due to his learning disability.
In prison, Ward has shown signs of personal growth, including participating in spiritual programs and caring for a cat before his execution. As the community prepares for the execution, the painful memories of Stacy Payne remain vivid for her family and the town.
