INDIANAPOLIS Governor Mike Braun has denied clemency for Roy Lee Ward, allowing his execution to proceed as scheduled for October 10.

"After carefully reviewing the unanimous recommendation from the State Parole Board, I have decided to allow the execution of Roy Lee Ward to proceed as planned for October 10," Braun said.

The Indiana Parole Board unanimously recommended denying Ward's request for clemency after conducting public hearings on September 22. Ward had requested his death sentence be commuted to life in prison without parole.

Ward was convicted of the 2001 rape and murder of 15-year-old Stacy Payne in Dale, Indiana. In July 2001, Ward persuaded Payne to let him into her home, where he raped and killed her.

A jury found Ward guilty in 2002, and the trial court imposed the rec

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