Man Knocked on Teen's Door, Claiming He Was Looking for Lost Dog. He Raped and Killed Her — and Now Faces Execution By Samira Asma-Sadeque

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An Indiana man convicted of murdering a teen in 2001 after gaining entry into her home using a ruse of a lost dog is set for execution on Friday, Oct. 10.

The victim, 15-year-old Stacy Payne, was raped and killed by Roy Lee Ward in her Dale, Ind., home on July 11, 2001, after he knocked on her door saying he was looking for pet, WDRB and the Evansville Courier and Press reported.

During a recent hearing for a clemency plea by Ward’s defense, a lawyer for the state detailed the graphic nature of Stacy’s murder, WDRB reported.

On the night of the attack, Ward approached the residence where Stacy was with her sister. After pretending to look for a lost dog, he forced his way in before tying Stacy up and brutalizing her,

Her sister. who heard her screams, called 911.

Ward has exhausted all possible avenues to challenge the execution.

Acting on recommendations from the Indiana Parole Board, Gov. Mike Braun denied Ward clemency in September, the Indiana Capital Chronicle reported.

Ward had also filed two federal lawsuits seeking to delay his execution, challenging Indiana’s lethal injection process and the state’s overall execution protocols, the Indiana Capital Chronicle reported.

He has withdrawn the lawsuits, paving way for his execution tomorrow, per the outlet.

In an Oct. 2 filing, Ward’s legal team and the Indiana Attorney General’s Office jointly said that they had come to a resolution regarding the concerns he had about the state’s drug handling and storage procedures, the outlet reported.

The “parties came to an agreement that ensures compliance with the protocol and ensures, to the extent possible, Mr. Ward’s execution is not problematic,” public defender Joanna Green told the outlet.  

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The brutal crime shook the small town of Dale, and many of its residents still remember it.

“It was horrible. Everybody was upset over it,” neighbor Carolyn Black, who still lives in the area, told WDRB. “Everyone was just sick to their stomach over it. It’s is sad.” 

Stacy’s father still lives in the same house and told the outlet he will not be attending the execution.

If you or someone you know has been a victim of sexual abuse, text “STRENGTH” to the Crisis Text Line at 741-741 to be connected to a certified crisis counselor.