Michigan City, Indiana — October 10, 2025 – Roy Lee Ward, convicted of the 2001 rape and murder of 15-year-old Stacy Payne, was executed by lethal injection early Friday at the Indiana State Prison in Michigan City. The execution, confirmed by the Indiana Capital Chronicle, marks the state’s second execution in 2025 and only the third since Indiana reinstated the death penalty after a decade-long pause.
A Divided Scene Outside the Prison
Outside the prison walls, the atmosphere was one of sharp contrast. According to FOX59, as Johnny Cash’s music played faintly from a nearby house, demonstrators gathered in prayer and protest. Bishop Robert McClory of the Diocese of Gary joined others opposing capital punishment, declaring that “no government should have the authority to take a human life.”
However, some locals, including Joshua Payne — unrelated to the victim — viewed the event as “justice finally being served,” expressing little sympathy for Ward.
Ward’s Final Statement and Background
Ward, 53, had spent over two decades on death row. In his final moments, he stated, “Brian is going to read them,” referring to his last words, which were later read aloud by a defense attorney. The statement expressed remorse and a claim of personal transformation over the years.
Ward’s crime — a brutal attack on teenager Stacy Payne in her Perry County home — shocked Indiana in 2001. His conviction was upheld multiple times in state and federal courts.
Denied Clemency and Legal Controversies
Governor Mike Braun rejected Ward’s final clemency appeal, stating:
“Roy Lee Ward’s case has been heard and reviewed numerous times by both state and federal courts, including the Indiana Supreme Court, since his conviction in 2002.”
Questions remain about Indiana’s lethal injection protocol, with the Department of Correction refusing to disclose details about the drugs used. Media were barred from witnessing the execution, drawing criticism and new legal challenges from transparency advocates.
Protests and Public Debate
Anti-death penalty groups, including the Indiana Abolition Coalition, gathered outside the facility, holding signs and candles. “This isn’t justice, it’s vengeance,” said coalition spokesperson Anna Holt.
Ward’s final meal reportedly came from Texas Corral, featuring a large spread of his favorite foods, Indiana Capital Chronicle noted.
The Broader Debate
As Indiana carries out another execution, the debate over capital punishment continues to intensify — touching on themes of morality, deterrence, and justice. For some, Ward’s death brings closure to a decades-old case. For others, it revives difficult questions about the state’s power over life and death.
