Attorney General Todd Rokita has requested the Indiana Supreme Court to set an execution date for Benjamin Ritchie, who was convicted of killing Beech Grove Police Officer William Toney on September 29, 2000.
“Most Hoosiers and I expect justice without delay, especially when someone murders a police officer, one of the many, many brave men and women we thank and respect daily," Attorney General Rokita stated. “This convicted cop killer has been on death row far too long — 22 years — and it's past time for him to pay his debt to society.”
Rokita filed a formal motion today asking the Supreme Court to schedule Ritchie's execution. The State of Indiana had paused executions for several years due to difficulties in obtaining pentobarbital, the drug used in executions. This issue has now been resolved.
Earlier this month, on September 11, the Indiana Supreme Court set an execution date of December 18 for Joseph Corcoran after Attorney General Rokita filed a similar motion. Corcoran was convicted of killing four people.
A headshot of Attorney General Rokita is available online.
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