Indiana conducted its first execution since 2009 early Wednesday morning, keeping much of the process hidden from public view.
The legal team representing the condemned man persisted on Tuesday in their efforts to appeal to the federal courts, including the U.S. Supreme Court, in order to put a stop to the execution. This comes after a federal appeals court sided with a federal judge’s ruling, declaring that the condemned man is fit to be executed.
In a statement, the Indiana Department of Correction announced that the execution process commenced shortly after midnight CST, and Corcoran was officially declared deceased at 12:44 a.m. CST.
The department reported that his final words were, “Not really. Let’s get this over with.”
In a recent update, the department stated that Corcoran had specifically requested Ben & Jerry’s ice cream for his final meal. The execution is scheduled to take place sometime between midnight Wednesday and sunrise, unless there is a last-minute reprieve.
Corcoran’s lawyers argue that he has been afflicted with a severe and long-standing case of paranoid schizophrenia, which has been well-documented in the self-published books he wrote while in prison. In these books, he vividly describes his belief that he was constantly under surveillance by ultrasonic means. The lawyers further assert that his mental condition has hindered him from effectively pursuing post-conviction relief.
Deputy Public Defender Joanna Green is urging Governor Eric Holcomb to exercise clemency for Joe, a man suffering from serious mental illness, if the courts do not intervene to halt the execution. This request comes as a plea to spare Joe’s life.
In a dissenting opinion for the appeals court, U.S. District Judge John Lee recognized that Corcoran’s extensive and well-established history of severe mental illness, along with the persistent nature of his delusions evident in his book and recent medical records, warrants the evaluation of his competency to be executed by at least one court.
Anti-death penalty groups have been protesting at the State Capitol and submitting letters to Holcomb’s office, urging him to exercise his clemency powers.
“Just one week before we celebrate the arrival of the Prince of Peace,” remarked David Frank, president of the Indiana Abolition Coalition, in relation to the upcoming Christmas festivities, “the state, hidden in secrecy and shadows, intends to end the life of Mr. Corcoran.”
Holcomb’s office did not respond to a request for comment on Tuesday. In June, Holcomb announced that the state had successfully obtained pentobarbital, a sedative commonly used in lethal injections, after years of dedicated effort.
Holcomb stated that he is fulfilling his duties as governor by adhering to the law and taking the necessary steps to address the matter.
In recent years, certain states that have implemented the death penalty have faced challenges in acquiring the necessary drugs for lethal injection. As a result, there has been a temporary suspension of executions in these states. However, Utah broke this trend by carrying out its first execution in 14 years, and South Carolina followed suit with its first execution in 13 years. On the other hand, Idaho’s attempt to carry out its first execution in 12 years was halted when prison staff members were unable to locate a suitable vein.
According to the nonprofit Death Penalty Information Center, media witnesses are excluded only in Indiana and Wyoming, out of the 27 states that still allow for capital punishment.
The death penalty in Indiana has faced criticism due to a lack of media scrutiny and the confidential nature surrounding executions. This has prompted Robert Gevers, the original prosecutor in Corcoran’s case, to speak out against the practice.
Gevers, a former Allen County district attorney who now works as a defense lawyer, mentioned that his perspective on the death penalty started to change in 2011, which was more than ten years after Corcoran’s trial.
In today’s scenario, he expressed his stance on not seeking a death sentence if he were to be involved in the case. However, he acknowledges the perspective of certain prosecutors who consider it crucial to offer the option of capital punishment as a means of seeking justice for the victims’ families.
“I have experienced it from both perspectives,” Gevers admitted, grappling with the moral dilemma. However, he soon realized that sparing someone’s life is not just an act of benevolence, but also a profound display of righteous grace.”
According to Kelly Ernst, whose fiancé was among the victims, she now holds the belief that the death penalty should be abolished. She finds it upsetting that her brother was executed by the state just a week before Christmas.
“My sister and I both celebrate our birthdays in December,” Ernst expressed. “It’s as if our birthdays have the power to overshadow Christmas forever. That’s the overwhelming feeling we have.”
In 1997, at the age of 22, Corcoran tragically took the life of his brother, James Corcoran, who was 30 years old, in their shared home in Fort Wayne. The incident also resulted in the deaths of Ernst’s fiancé, Robert Scott Turner, 32, as well as their friends Douglas Stillwell and Timothy Bricker, both aged 30.
Five years ago, Joseph Corcoran had been acquitted of the murders of his parents, Jack and Kathryn Corcoran, due to insufficient evidence for conviction. Prosecutors alleged that Corcoran had killed his brother and the other men while they were watching TV, as he believed they were discussing his suspected role in his parents’ demise.
During the shootings, Corcoran’s niece, who was 7 years old at the time, was also present at home but fortunately remained unharmed.
There has been a lot of discussion about his mental state during his trial.
Corcoran’s lawyers recently submitted a petition to Governor Holcomb, urging him to commute their client’s death sentence to life imprisonment without parole. They emphasized that Corcoran can be securely housed and highlighted his clean disciplinary record during his incarceration since 2006.
According to the authors, Joe’s delusions only manifest in his belief that he is being tormented and publicly humiliated. It is important to note that these delusions have not led to any violent behavior towards others while he has been in prison.
According to the Death Penalty Information Center, there are still seven inmates on Indiana’s death row.
A bill to repeal the death penalty has been introduced by a Republican state lawmaker. Supporters of Corcoran are optimistic that Governor Holcomb will at least consider granting a reprieve until a thorough debate can take place. Governor-elect Mike Braun, also a Republican, has expressed his support for legislative discussion on this matter.
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