MICHIGAN CITY, Ind. (WSBT) — Indiana’s first state execution in 15 years is set to happen in just a few hours.
Joseph Corcoran is expected to be executed early Wednesday morning for the 1997 killings of his brother and three other men in Fort Wayne.
Corcoran has been in prison since 1997, when he was convicted for the murder of his brother, his sisters’ fiancé, and two other men in Fort Wayne.
Corcoran’s lawyers have appealed his sentence multiple times, even going all the way to the U.S Supreme Court who turned down the appeal.
Joseph’s wife Tahina visited him today.
She has been an advocate for Joseph, saying he suffers from paranoid schizophrenia.. and says due to that he should not be executed.
“I’ve spent more time with Joseph then, other than his fellow death row inmates, any doctors, any lawyers, any juries, judges, public defenders. I know my husband well, and I know he does suffer from paranoid schizophrenia,” said Tahina Corcoran.
While filing appeals, Corcoran did write an Affidavit in 2005, admitting his guilt to the murders and writing he “should be executed”.
Tahina says his execution was discussed during their visit today.. telling me he does not understand what is happening.
“We talked about our memories. We talked about what is going to take place, and we talked about the fact that we both believe in Jesus and that we believe someday that we will see each other again,” said Corcoran.
Multiple groups including the Diocese of Gary and Death Penalty Action showing up to the state prison Tuesday night, praying to end the death penalty and saying that even after committing violent crimes, everyone has a right to life.
“We can build a society without giving the governmental authorities the right to execute their own citizens. That is ultimate exercise of state authority, and we should be promoting life, not taking life,” Robert McClory, bishop, Diocese of Gary.
Barring any action by the courts or Governor Holcomb, Joseph Corcoran will be executed by lethal injection Wednesday morning.
According to the Indiana Department of Corrections, his requested last meal was Ben and Jerry’s ice cream.
