Faith leaders in Indiana are urging Governor Eric Holcomb to call off next week’s planned execution of a man convicted in four murders.
They hand-delivered a letter signed by 70 clergy-members at Holcomb’s office in the statehouse Thursday. It asks the governor to grant clemency to Joseph Corcoran, who is set to be executed next week in Michigan City.
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“Our call to refrain from restarting executions in Indiana is an expression of our desire to honor the sacred dignity of all people, including both victims and those who have caused immeasurable harm,” the letter says.
“Like many of Indiana’s civil leaders who share our values, we long to see the mercy, compassion, equity, and justice of God reflected in public policies that promote safety, human dignity, and healing for all Hoosiers.”
The last time Indiana carried out an execution was 2009.
Attorneys for Corcoran insist he’s incompetent to be executed based on his diagnosis of paranoid schizophrenia. Attorney General Todd Rokita has succeeded so far in convincing the state Supreme Courtto let the execution move forward.
Read more: Death penalty foes rally against plans to restart Indiana executions
Corcoran’s attorneys are also asking a federal court to rule on whether he can have physical contact with his spiritual advisor during the execution.
Corcoran was convicted in 1997 of shooting and killing four people in Fort Wayne.
His execution is set for early next Wednesday at the Indiana State Prison in Michigan City.
