MICHIGAN CITY, Ind — Indiana executed death row inmate Roy Lee Ward early Friday for the 2001 rape and murder of 15-year-old Stacy Payne in Spencer County. Ward, 53, was pronounced dead at 12:33 a.m. at Indiana State Prison in Michigan City.

Ward’s execution is the third in Indiana since the state resumed capital punishment last year. The process began shortly after midnight, following the dismissal of two federal lawsuits that were Ward’s final attempts to delay his execution or seek commutation of his death sentence.

Governor Mike Braun said Ward’s case had been reviewed multiple times by state and federal courts, including the Indiana Supreme Court, and all appeals had been denied. The State Parole Board unanimously recommended denying Ward’s final appeal for clemency.

Ward was convi

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