SPENSER COUNTY, Ind. (WEHT) -- The Indiana Parole Board heard testimony on whether Indiana Govenor Mike Brawn should grant clemency to convicted killer Roay Lee Ward.
Ward is scheduled to be executed on October 11 for the murder of Spencer County teenager Stacey Payne in 2001.
The attorney for Ward portrayed him as anything but a cold blooded murder.
Ward opted to speak at the hearing, but his attorneys say Ward had mental problems, symptoms of autism, is remorseful for what did and does not deserve to be executed.
"He would say he deserves to be punished, but he wants to live,” says Ward’s attorney. “Does he have value and should he get this grace? I think yes."
Others speaking at the hearing paint a different picture.
Matt Keller was the first police officer to arrive at the scene.