Bob Kasarda

MICHIGAN CITY — As most across the Region slept, a 53-year-old man was put to death by lethal injection early Friday at the local Indiana State Prison after pleading guilty to raping and murdering a 15-year-old girl in downstate Spencer County in 2001, according to the Indiana Department of Correction.

Roy Lee Ward was pronounced dead at 12:33 a.m. Friday following an execution process that began shortly after 12 a.m., officials said. It was reportedly the state’s third execution since resuming capital punishment last year.

"His last meal was from Texas Corral and consisted of the following: 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

See Full Page