INDIANAPOLIS – The execution of convicted killer Roy Lee Ward will proceed on Oct. 10.

Gov. Mike Braun announced Monday that he would follow the recommendation to allow him to be put to death.

“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 in a statement.

The parole board held a Sept. 22 clemency hearing for Ward. He was sentenced to death for the July 2001 rape and murder of 15-year-old Stacy Payne.

The parole board recommended that the execution proceed, citing the brutal nature of the crime. The victim’s family advocated for having Ward put to death. According to previous reports, Ward pretended to be looking for a lost dog and convinced Payne

See Full Page