Michigan City, Indiana — Benjamin Ritchie, 45, was executed by lethal injection early this morning at the Indiana State Prison for the 2000 murder of Beech Grove Police Officer Bill Toney. This marks only the second execution carried out by the state in the past 15 years, following the execution of Joseph Corcoran in December 2024.
Officer Toney, 31, was fatally shot during a foot chase after Ritchie stole a vehicle. At the time, Ritchie was on probation for burglary. He was convicted in 2002 and sentenced to death. His execution proceeded after the U.S. Supreme Court declined to intervene, exhausting all legal avenues.
Ritchie’s legal team argued that he suffered from fetal alcohol spectrum disorder, childhood lead exposure, and bipolar disorder, which they claimed impaired his cognitive abilities and should exempt him from the death penalty. However, the Indiana Supreme Court denied these claims, stating that the evidence would not have affected the jury’s decision.
In his final statement, Ritchie expressed remorse, stating, “I love my family, my friends, and all the support I’ve gotten. I hope they all find peace.”
The execution has reignited debates over the death penalty, particularly concerning individuals with developmental disabilities. While some, including Officer Toney’s widow, view the execution as providing closure, others argue it highlights systemic issues in capital punishment.