Indiana Man Executed for 1997 Quadruple Murder
Indiana’s first execution in 15 years took place early Wednesday morning, as Joseph Corcoran, 49, was put to death for the 1997 shooting deaths of four people, including his brother, his sister’s fiancé, and two others.
Corcoran was convicted of the July 1997 shootings in Fort Wayne, Indiana, in which his brother, 30-year-old James Corcoran; his sister’s fiancé, 32-year-old Robert Scott Turner; and two others, 30-year-old Timothy G. Bricker and 30-year-old Douglas A. Stillwell, were killed.
Before the execution, Corcoran reportedly bragged about shooting and killing his parents in 1992, although he was acquitted of the charges.
Corcoran’s attorneys had long contested his death sentence, claiming that he was severely mentally ill and unable to fully understand the consequences of his actions. However, their efforts were ultimately unsuccessful, and the Indiana Supreme Court rejected a request to stay the execution earlier this month.
Corcoran chose a reporter from the Indiana Capital Chronicle as one of his witnesses, making him the first person executed in the state to choose a reporter as a witness in over 15 years. However, no members of the press were allowed as witnesses under state law, despite being the only two states in the country, along with Wyoming, not allowing members of the media to witness state executions.
In his final hours, Corcoran was able to choose a last meal, opting for Ben & Jerry’s ice cream.
Gov. Eric Holcomb issued a statement after the execution, saying that Corcoran’s sentence had never been overturned and was carried out as ordered by the court.
The execution sparked protests and vigils from anti-death penalty advocates and religious groups, with critics arguing that the lethal injection drug used in the execution could cause intense pain and that the execution of individuals with serious mental health issues raises ethical concerns.
As Corcoran was led to his execution, about a dozen people gathered outside the prison to hold a vigil and pray. Later that night, another group of protesters held signs outside the prison, reading “Execution Is Not The Solution” and “Remember The Victims But Not With More Killing.”
Corcoran’s wife, Tahina Corcoran, expressed sadness and concern about the execution, saying that her husband was “very mentally ill” and did not understand what was happening to him.
The execution comes amid ongoing controversy over the death penalty in the United States, with many countries abolishing the practice or drastically reducing its use in recent years.
