Indiana executes Roy Lee Ward

MICHIGAN CITY, Ind. — At 12:01 a.m. CDT, the time proscribed by court order to begin the execution of Roy Lee Ward, a small crowd gathered in the parking lot across the street from the Indiana State Prison to stand witness as a neighbor blared Johnny Cash’s “25 Minutes to Go” from stereo speakers set up across the way.

Ward had been a resident of the state’s Death Row in Michigan City since 2002 after his conviction for the killing of 15-year-old Stacy Payne in Dale, Indiana, the year before. He was executed by injection.

During a clemency hearing last month, first responders testified that the slashing murder of the teenager was the most horrific they had ever seen.

Ward’s own defense attorney at trial described him as a “severe psychopath.”

After a conviction and a retrial, Ward later pleaded guilty.

He dropped the appeal of his death sentence last week.

Death penalty opponents outside the prison did not.

“I think that it’s important for us to show witness to the value of all human life that another killing doesn’t solve any problems,” said Bishop Robert McClory of the Diocese of Gary. “While we see an increase in the frequency, we see some signs of hope that there are some more voices who previously supported the death penalty who have now come to change their mind and are advocating that among their fellow representatives in the state legislature.

”This is a state action in an era when many people advocate for a very limited role of government. To give the state the ultimate authority to take a human life is an authority we should not give to them.”

Joshua Payne had no such sympathy for the condemned man.

He’s lived across the street from the prison for 16 years and has taken to celebrate each recent execution by bringing his children and stereo speakers into his front yard to blare “Another One Bites the Dust,” “Highway to Hell” and “Spirit in the Sky,” to provide a counter to the prayers and bellringing of the DP opponents.

”This is three within the last year,” he said. “I was born and raised on the back side of the prison when they had the electrocution chair and the lights, not our personal lights, but you would see the lights dim on the prison when they used it.

”They’re meeting their maker.”

Ward was pronounced dead at 12:33 a.m. CDT, after a final meal from Texas Corral that consisted one hamburger, one steak melt, one order of French fries, one baked potato with butter, one order of twelve fried shrimp, one sweet potato, one order of chicken alfredo, and one order of breadsticks.

His last words were, “Brian is going to read them.” At 1:15a.m. CDT, an attorney associated with his lead defense lawyer Laura Volk read a prepared statement on her behalf.

”Initially she says, ‘I saw a sad broken man. I assume that is how he felt by coming to terms for what he had done to Stacy, her family, his family and friends,’” read Steve Schutte. ”’In the 25 years I have done this work, I can say Roy is a different person than when he went in.’”

After the execution, Gov. Mike Braun issued a statement that said the court’s order had been fulfilled:

“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. These reviews have never resulted in an overturned sentence. The State Parole Board issued a unanimous recommendation to deny Ward’s final appeal for clemency and that his execution proceed as scheduled. Today, Ward’s sentence has been carried out as ordered by the court.”

Attorney General Todd Rokita said justice was done:

“Early this morning, the execution of Roy Lee Ward was carried out, delivering accountability for the brutal rape and murder of 15-year-old Stacy Payne on April 16, 2001. Following his 2007 conviction and death sentence, Ward’s case was thoroughly reviewed, culminating in the Indiana Supreme Court setting his execution date and Governor Mike Braun rejecting his request for clemency.

“Today, we honor Stacy Payne’s memory and bring long-awaited closure to her family and loved ones. I extend my heartfelt thanks to our office’s appeals team, who dedicated thousands of hours and exceptional talent to upholding the jury’s verdict and ensuring the law was enforced. The Indiana Department of Correction carried out this sentence with utmost professionalism, reinforcing the state’s commitment to protecting our communities from violent predators. Let this stand as a resolute warning: those who commit such heinous crimes will face the full weight of justice.”

There are now five men left on Indiana’s Death Row.

Source: fox59.com, Russ McQuaid, Matt Adams, October 10, 2025

"One is absolutely sickened, not by the crimes that the wicked have committed,
but by the punishments that the good have inflicted."

— Oscar Wilde

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