Indiana is set to carry out its first execution in 15 years as Joseph Corcoran, a death row inmate convicted 25 years ago of killing his brother and three other men, faces his scheduled execution on Wednesday. Corcoran, 49, has been on death row since 1999 and is slated to be executed at the Indiana State Prison in Michigan City.
Corcoran's conviction stems from a tragic incident in 1997 when he fatally shot his brother and three other men following a period of stress related to his family dynamics. While in jail, Corcoran reportedly made statements about shooting his parents in 1992 but was acquitted of those charges.
His sister, Kelly Ernst, who lost a brother and fiancé in the 1997 shootings, opposes the death penalty and believes her brother suffers from a serious mental illness. She does not plan to attend his execution, emphasizing that it won't bring closure or change.
Indiana's resumption of executions sheds light on the state's use of lethal injection drugs, particularly pentobarbital, which will be employed in Corcoran's execution. The state had faced challenges in obtaining the necessary drugs due to a nationwide shortage caused by pharmaceutical companies' refusal to supply drugs for executions.
Corcoran's attorneys have raised concerns about his mental health, citing his severe paranoid schizophrenia and delusions. Despite their efforts to halt the execution, the Indiana Supreme Court denied their petitions, and Corcoran himself expressed acceptance of his guilt and the court's decisions.
Indiana's execution protocols limit the witnesses to the process, with only specific individuals allowed to be present during the execution at the Indiana State Prison. Notably, Indiana does not permit media access to witness state executions, a practice shared only with Wyoming.
As the state prepares for Corcoran's execution, the case raises questions about mental health considerations in capital punishment and the ethical implications of resuming executions after a long hiatus.
