An Indiana man who was convicted of killing a police officer two decades ago is set to be the second person executed in the state since 2009.
Benjamin Ritchie, aged 45, is slated for execution by lethal injection at the Indiana State Prison on Tuesday, May 20, before daybreak, “unless there’s last-minute court action,” as reported by the Associated Press.
Ritchie has been on death row for over 20 years for the 2000 fatal shooting of Beech Grove Police Officer Bill Toney.
Ritchie was just 20 when he and some accomplices stole a van in Beech Grove, a locality near Indianapolis, according to the outlet. During a foot pursuit, he fatally shot the 31-year-old police officer and father of two daughters five times. At the time, he was also serving probation for a burglary conviction in 1998.
Indiana Gov. Mike Braun said he followed the recommendation of the board and would allow the execution to proceed.
“After thoroughly reviewing the unanimous recommendation from the State Parole Board, I have decided to permit the execution of Benjamin Ritchie to go forward as scheduled for May 20,” Braun stated in an announcement.
Ritchie’s attorneys are challenging that decision in federal court and have also filed a petition with the U.S. Supreme Court, according to the AP, noting that the jury did not receive accurate information about Ritchie’s brain damage.
Ritchie’s execution would mark the second inmate to be put to death in Indiana in 15 years, according to the AP.
Indiana resumed executions in December after a year-long hiatus due to the scarcity of lethal injection drugs nationwide, the AP reported.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Stepheny Price is a writer for Fox News Digital and Fox Business. She covers topics including missing persons, homicides, national crime cases, illegal immigration, and more. Story tips and ideas can be sent to stepheny.price@fox.com
