INDIANAPOLIS — Indiana authorities are poised to carry out the execution of a death row inmate for the first time in a decade and a half. Joseph Corcoran, convicted of murdering his brother and three other men in 1997, is set to be executed, marking the state’s first execution since 2009. In the past 15 years, while the state has not executed any inmates, 13 executions occurred in Indiana under federal jurisdiction between 2020 and 2021.
Corcoran, aged 49, has been on death row since 1999. His execution is scheduled for early Wednesday morning at the Indiana State Prison in Michigan City, located approximately 45 miles east of Chicago. The impending execution brings renewed focus to Corcoran’s case, particularly concerning the state’s procurement of drugs necessary for lethal injections.
Joseph Corcoran’s conviction dates back to July 26, 1997, when, at the age of 22, he shot and killed his brother, James Corcoran, and three other men: Douglas Stillwell, Timothy Bricker, and Robert Scott Turner. Court documents indicate that Corcoran was anxious about moving out of the home he shared with his brother and sister due to an upcoming marriage taking place in the family. Following a discussion about him that he overheard while awake, he armed himself with a rifle and shot all four men.
Within his time in jail, Corcoran allegedly boasted about having murdered his parents in 1992, although he was acquitted of those charges.
His sister, Kelly Ernst, who mourned the loss of both her brother and fiancé due to the 1997 shootings, expressed her belief that the death penalty should be abolished. She feels that executing Corcoran will not bring resolution or alter circumstances surrounding the tragedy. Despite having not communicated with him for a decade, she recently connected with him and believes he suffers from severe mental illness. “I kind of just feel that there’s no such thing as closure,” the 56-year-old stated, revealing her turmoil over the situation.
The state last executed an inmate in 2009, when Matthew Wrinkles was put to death for a triple homicide from 1994. Following that execution, Indiana struggled to conduct further executions due to a shortage of the lethal injection drugs traditionally used. The scarcity arose as pharmaceutical companies, particularly those based in Europe, ceased production and sale of these drugs due to moral opposition to capital punishment. As a result, states began sourcing from compounding pharmacies or resorting to other obtainable drugs like pentobarbital and midazolam, which have drawn criticism for potentially inflicting severe pain.
Indiana plans to use pentobarbital for Corcoran’s execution, which was also utilized by the federal government in prior executions during Donald Trump’s administration.
Details concerning the procurement of these drugs are closely guarded, with the Indiana Department of Correction citing state law that maintains the confidentiality of such information. Governor Eric Holcomb announced the state had secured pentobarbital and requested the Indiana Supreme Court to establish an execution date, resulting in the scheduled execution.
The execution procedure is strictly defined by state law, which outlines who can witness the process and secures the identities of those involved. Only specific individuals are permitted at the execution; this includes the prison warden, appointed personnel to assist, two physicians, as well as the condemned individual’s spiritual counselor and chaplain. Additionally, up to five friends or family members of the inmate and eight relatives of the victims may be present.
Notably, media representatives are prohibited from witnessing executions in Indiana, making it one of only two states with such restrictions. Observers claim that media presence is crucial to ensuring transparency in the execution process, given that public attendance is not allowed.
Corcoran’s legal team has already pursued various appeals. Despite having exhausted his federal appeals in 2016, his attorneys made a request to the Indiana Supreme Court for a stop to the execution, which was denied. The court also dismissed attempts to assess his competency for execution. In a reflection of his acceptance of the judicial process, Corcoran stated that he did not wish to continue fighting his case, indicating his acknowledgment of guilt.
Recently, however, his attorneys filed a petition in the U.S. District Court of Northern Indiana, seeking to halt the execution and argue its unconstitutionality based on Corcoran’s alleged serious mental health issues, which include severe paranoia and delusions. They claim that his mental state could render his execution in violation of humane treatment principles, raising concerns over his mental fitness at the time of his death.
The federal district court declined to intervene on his behalf, but his legal team intends to escalate the matter to the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals. There remains the possibility that outgoing Governor Holcomb may intervene in the situation, despite previously stating that he would allow the legal process to unfold. Indiana Disability Rights has also called upon Holcomb to commute the death sentence, stressing the importance of recognizing the dignity and mental capability of those facing execution.
