Convicted cop killer will become 2nd execution in Indiana since 2009
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An Indiana man who was convicted of killing a police officer two decades ago is set to be the second person executed in the state since 2009. 

Benjamin Ritchie, 45, is scheduled to die by lethal injection at the Indiana State Prison on Tuesday, May 20, before sunrise, “unless there’s last-minute court action,” according to the Associated Press. 

Ritchie has been on death row for over 20 years for the 2000 fatal shooting of Beech Grove Police Officer Bill Toney.

Ritchie was 20 when he and others stole a van in Beech Grove, near Indianapolis, the outlet reported. He shot the 31-year-old police officer and father of two daughters five times during a foot chase, killing him. He was also on probation at the time for a 1998 burglary conviction.

Execution chamber

Indiana Gov. Mike Braun said he followed the recommendation of the board and would allow the execution to proceed. 

“After carefully reviewing the unanimous recommendation from the State Parole Board, I have decided to allow the execution of Benjamin Ritchie to proceed as planned for May 20,” Braun wrote in a statement. 

Ritchie’s attorneys are challenging that decision in federal court and have also filed a petition with the U.S. Supreme Court, according to the AP, noting that the jury did not receive accurate information about Ritchie’s brain damage.

Ritchie’s execution would mark the second inmate to be put to death in Indiana in 15 years, according to the AP. 

Indiana resumed executions in December after a year-long hiatus due to the scarcity of lethal injection drugs nationwide, the AP reported. 

The Associated Press contributed to this report. 

Stepheny Price is a writer for Fox News Digital and Fox Business. She covers topics including missing persons, homicides, national crime cases, illegal immigration, and more. Story tips and ideas can be sent to stepheny.price@fox.com

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