MICHIGAN CITY, Ind. — At 12:01 a.m. CDT Friday, Indiana Department of Correction authorities will begin the process of delivering Roy Lee Ward to the Execution Chamber at the Indiana State Prison so that he may be put to death for the rape and murder of a 15-year-old girl 24 years ago in Spencer County, Indiana.

Last week, Ward dismissed the appeal of his death sentence for the murder of Stacy Payne.

The Dale, Indiana, teenager allowed Ward into her home when her parents were not present in July 2001.

Testimony from Stacy’s younger sister confirmed that she spotted Ward on top of the girl as the younger child ran for the safety of her parents’ bedroom and dialed 911.

When first responders arrived, they found Ward in the front hallway of the home with a bloody knife and Stacy was discov

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