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.Â
According to the Associated Press, Benjamin Ritchie, aged 45, is set to face lethal injection at the Indiana State Prison on May 20. The execution is scheduled to take place before sunrise, with the only potential delay being last-minute court interventions.Â
Ritchie has been on death row for over 20 years for the 2000 fatal shooting of Beech Grove Police Officer Bill Toney.
Ritchie’s crime dates back to when he was 20 years old, involving the theft of a van in Beech Grove, close to Indianapolis. The incident escalated when he fatally shot a 31-year-old police officer and father of two, hitting him with five bullets during a pursuit on foot. Notably, he was already under probation at that time due to a burglary conviction from 1998.
Indiana Gov. Mike Braun said he followed the recommendation of the board and would allow the execution to proceed.Â
Expressing his decision, Braun stated in a written release, “Following a thorough evaluation of the unanimous recommendation put forth by the State Parole Board, I have opted to greenlight Benjamin Ritchie’s execution as scheduled on May 20.”Â
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.Â
Indiana resumed executions in December after a year-long hiatus due to the scarcity of lethal injection drugs nationwide, the AP reported.Â
The Associated Press contributed to this report.Â
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 [email protected]
