CHICAGO – An Indiana man convicted in the 2001 rape and murder of a teenage girl was set to die by lethal injection early Friday in the state’s third execution since resuming capital punishment last year.

Roy Lee Ward, 53, was scheduled to be put to death before sunrise at the Indiana State Prison in Michigan City.

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He was convicted in the rape and murder of 15-year-old Stacy Payne and sentenced to death. The brutal crime, which happened in the family’s home in Dale, rocked the small community of roughly 1,500 people.

Attorneys said Ward has exhausted his legal options after many court battles.

“He’s very remorseful about this horrible crime,” said his attorney Joanna Green.

Ward’s execution comes amid questions about Indiana’s handling of pentobarbital . Las

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