Benjamin Ritchie
Benjamin Donnie Ritchie was a father who, according to family and friends, expressed love, support and peace for the people close to him, and he received visits from them before his death. Indiana executed him by lethal injection on May 20, 2025, at the Indiana State Prison in Michigan City. The Indiana Department of Correction said the process began shortly after midnight and that he was pronounced dead at 12:46 a.m. His attorneys argued that he suffered severe brain damage and had changed over more than two decades in prison, and they sought clemency, which was rejected. The courts declined to stop the execution.
Cause of death, as reported: Executed by the state. His attorneys argued he had severe brain damage and had changed over more than two decades in prison, and his clemency bid was rejected.
Reported by: Indiana Department of Correction (the agency that held him); Vocal.media roundup of 2025 U.S. executions (reporters); his attorneys.