After a 15-year pause in executions, Indiana prepares to put to death a man who killed 4

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Indiana officials are preparing to execute the state's first death row inmate in 15 years, who was convicted a quarter-century ago of killing his brother and three other men.

Joseph Corcoran, 49, has been on Indiana's death row since 1999. If he is put to death as scheduled Wednesday, it will be the state's first execution since 2009. In that time, 13 executions were carried out in Indiana but those were initiated and performed by federal officials in 2020 and 2021 at a federal prison.

Corcoran is scheduled to be executed before sunrise Wednesday at the Indiana State Prison in Michigan City, about 45 miles (72 kilometers) east of Chicago.

Indiana's resumption of executions is refocusing attention on Corcoran's case and questions about how the state has been able to obtain a drug for lethal injections.

Corcoran was 22 on July 26, 1997, when he fatally shot his brother, 30-year-old James Corcoran, and three other men: Douglas A. Stillwell, 30, Timothy G. Bricker, 30, and Robert Scott Turner, 32.

According to court records, Joseph Corcoran was under stress because the forthcoming marriage of his sister to Turner would necessitate moving out of the Fort Wayne, Indiana, home he had shared with his brother and sister.

He awoke to hear his brother and others downstairs talking about him, loaded his rifle and then shot all four men, records show.

While jailed, Corcoran reportedly bragged about shooting his parents in 1992 in northern Indiana's Steuben County. He was charged in their killings but acquitted.

Corcoran's sister, Kelly Ernst, who lost a brother and her fiancé in the 1997 shootings, declined to discuss whether she believes her younger brother killed their parents.

But Ernst, who lives in northeastern Indiana, said she believes the death penalty should be abolished and her brother’s execution won’t solve or change anything. She does not plan to attend his execution.

Ernst said she had been out of contact with her brother for 10 years until recently. She believes it’s “fairly obvious” he has a serious mental illness.

“I kind of just feel that there’s no such thing as closure," Ernst, 56, said Friday. “I just don’t know what else to say. I haven’t slept in weeks.”

Indiana last executed Matthew Wrinkles, who was put to death in 2009 for killing his wife, her brother and sister-in-law in 1994.

State officials said they couldn't continue executions because a combination of drugs used in lethal injections had become unavailable. There has been a yearslong nationwide shortage because pharmaceutical companies — particularly in Europe, where opposition to capital punishment is strongest — have refused to sell their products for that purpose.

That has prompted states to turn to compounding pharmacies, which manufacture drugs specifically for a client. Some states have switched to more accessible drugs such as the sedatives pentobarbital or midazolam, both of which, critics say, can cause excruciating pain.

Indiana is following that lead, planning to use pentobarbital to execute Corcoran.

The federal government also used pentobarbital in the 13 federal executions carried out during the final six months of then-President Donald Trump’s first term.

Many states, including Indiana, refuse to divulge where they get the drugs. When asked how the state obtained the pentobarbital it plans to use in Corcoran’s execution, the Indiana Department of Correction directed The Associated Press to a state law labeling the source of lethal injection drugs as confidential.

In June, Gov. Eric Holcomb announced the state had acquired pentobarbital and asked the Indiana Supreme Court to set a date for Corcoran’s execution. The high court set his Dec. 18 execution date in September.

State law lays out the specific timing and process. It also limits the people who have a role in an execution and shields their identities and specifies who can witness executions at the Indiana State Prison.

At the time of an execution, Indiana code states that the only people allowed to be present are the prison warden, those selected to assist in the execution, the prison physician, one additional physician, the condemned person's spiritual adviser and the prison chaplain.

Up to five friends or relatives of the person being executed and up to eight relatives of the victims of the crime are allowed to view the process.

The Indiana Department of Correction did not respond to multiple queries from the AP asking whether any of the staffers who will help carry out Corcoran’s execution have previously taken part in a state execution.

Indiana is one of only two states, along with Wyoming, that do not allow for members of the news media to witness state executions, according to a recent report by the Death Penalty Information Center.

That report states “unobstructed media access to exe­cu­tions is crit­i­cal because the media observes what the pub­lic can­not. States gen­er­al­ly pro­hib­it cit­i­zens from attend­ing exe­cu­tions, so the media becomes the public’s watch­dog, pro­vid­ing impor­tant infor­ma­tion about how the gov­ern­ment is fol­low­ing the law and using tax­pay­er funds.”

Corcoran had exhausted his federal appeals in 2016.

His attorneys asked the Indiana Supreme Court to stop his execution but were denied on Dec. 5. The high court also denied petitions to argue whether he is competent to be executed.

In a handwritten affidavit to the justices, Corcoran said he no longer wanted to litigate his case.

“I am guilty of the crime I was convicted of, and accept the findings of all the appellate courts,” he wrote.

On Wednesday, his attorneys filed a petition in U.S. District Court of Northern Indiana asking the court to stop his execution and hold a hearing to decide if it would be unconstitutional because Corcoran has a serious mental illness.

They argued he has “severe and longstanding paranoid schizophrenia” and his condition “manifests as auditory hallucinations and delusions that prison guards are torturing him with an ultrasound machine.”

“Indeed, he has volunteered to be executed, and is eager to be executed, because he believes his execution will give him relief from the perceived pain his delusions and hallucinations inflict upon him,” the filing states.

But on Friday, the federal district court declined to intervene, prompting defense attorneys to appeal to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 7th Circuit.

There's also the possibility that outgoing Gov. Eric Holcomb, who has said he would let the legal process “play out,” could step in.

Indiana Disability Rights, a disability rights organization, asked Holcomb in a Dec. 6 letter to commute the death sentence to life in prison without parole.

“Executing individuals who cannot fully comprehend their circumstances, or the consequences of their actions, violates fundamental principles of human dignity and equity,” the letter said.

Associated Press reporter Sophia Tareen contributed to this report from Chicago.

David Frank walks into the governor's office during a gathering of the Indiana Abolition Coalition at the Statehouse, Thursday, Dec. 12, 2024, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)

David Frank speaks during a gathering of the Indiana Abolition Coalition at the Statehouse, Thursday, Dec. 12, 2024, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)

David Frank speaks during a gathering of the Indiana Abolition Coalition at the Statehouse, Thursday, Dec. 12, 2024, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)

Bob Henry stands in the governor's office during a gathering of the Indiana Abolition Coalition at the Statehouse, Thursday, Dec. 12, 2024, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)

This undated photo provided by the Indiana Department of Corrections, shows Joseph Corcoran, who is scheduled to be executed before sunrise on Dec. 18, 2024. (Indiana Department of Corrections via AP)

David Frank speaks during a gathering of the Indiana Abolition Coalition at the Statehouse, Thursday, Dec. 12, 2024, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP) — Davante Adams caught nine passes from Aaron Rodgers for 198 yards and two touchdowns — all in the second half — and the New York Jets rallied to beat the Jacksonville Jaguars 32-25 to end a four-game skid Sunday.

Adams hauled in a 71-yard TD pass with 3:24 remaining and a 41-yarder that set up Breece Hall's 1-yard plunge with 1:05 to play. In between, he made a circus catch along the sideline for a first down.

It was vintage Adams, who became the 12th player in NFL history with 100 receiving touchdowns. And vintage Rodgers, who threw for 289 yards and three scores as the Jets (4-10) topped 30 points for the first time this season. The 41-year-old quarterback also led New York with 45 yards rushing.

Adams' 100th TD grab came on a 1-yard fade route in the third quarter. No. 101 was even more impressive. He streaked down the middle of the field, running past linebacker Devin Lloyd and seeing no safety help from Darnell Savage until it was too late.

Adams was completely uncovered in the flat for the 41-yarder and then tackled at the 1. The Jets probably should have taken a knee from there, forced Jacksonville to use its remaining timeouts and kicked a short field goal to win it. But Hall's plunge gave the Jaguars (3-11) a chance late.

Mac Jones drove Jacksonville into Jets territory before throwing his second interception of the day. Sauce Gardner's first pick of the season essentially ended the game.

Jones completed 31 of 46 passes for 294 yards, with two touchdowns to rookie Brian Thomas Jr. and two interceptions. Thomas finished with 10 catches for 105 yards.

Jones looked as though he would improve to 6-0 as a starter against the Jets, and the Jaguars looked as if they would win consecutive games for the first time in 13 months.,

But Rodgers and Adams had other thoughts.

The duo has now connected 81 times for touchdowns, including the playoffs, for the fourth most by a QB-WR duo in NFL history. They are one shy of Miami’s Dan Marino and Mark Clayton.

Both teams got off to fast starts — a rarity this season.

The Jaguars scored a touchdown on their opening drive for the first time in 19 games. It had been the longest drought in the NFL, one dating to a Monday night game against Cincinnati last season. Jones, making his fourth start in place of Trevor Lawrence (shoulder/concussion), found Thomas for a 3-yard score.

The Jets answered with their first opening-driving touchdown of the season. Rodgers connected with Garrett Wilson for a 22-yarder after the Jaguars left him wide open down the middle.

Thomas, Jacksonville's first-round draft pick, broke two single-season team rookie receiving records that he had been chasing for weeks. He topped Justin Blackmon’s franchise mark of 865 yards receiving (2012) and hauled in his seventh TD catch, snapping a tie with Allen Hurns (2014).

Thomas, the 23rd overall selection from LSU, leads the Jaguars with 66 catches for 956 yards and eight scores.

Jaguars defensive tackle Jeremiah Ledbetter, a 30-year-old veteran and a 300-pound defender, celebrated his third-quarter sack of Rodgers with an impressive backflip. Ledbetter’s second sack of the season resulted in a 14-yard loss and forced the Jets to settle for a field goal.

It appeared to be a rehearsed flip. But Ledbetter needed to put both hands on the ground to help him sort of stick the landing.

Jets safety Jalen Mills, whose first-quarter interception was his first of the season, was ruled out a short time later with a chest injury. ... Backup safety Tony Adams (facial lacerations), linebacker Jamien Sherwood (evaluated for a concussion) and running back Braelon Allen (back) left the game. Adams was able to return with bandages on his nose and chin. Sherwood also was back. ... Nickel cornerback Michael Carter left in the second half with a back injury.

Jaguars left tackle Walker Little sprained his left ankle in the first quarter, but was able to return.

Jets: host the Los Angeles Rams next Sunday.

Jaguars: play at the Las Vegas Raiders next Sunday.

AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl

New York Jets wide receiver Davante Adams (17) catches a 1-yard touchdown pass in front of Jacksonville Jaguars cornerback Montaric Brown (30) during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)

Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. (7) runs past New York Jets safety Tony Adams (22) after a catch during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)

New York Jets wide receiver Garrett Wilson, left, gets away from Jacksonville Jaguars safety Andre Cisco after a catch during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)

New York Jets wide receiver Davante Adams (17) is hit by Jacksonville Jaguars cornerback Tyson Campbell (3) after a sucessful two-point conversion during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)

Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Mac Jones (10) is tripped up by New York Jets defensive end Solomon Thomas (94) during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)

New York Jets running back Breece Hall (20) celebrates his touchdown against the Jacksonville Jaguars during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)

New York Jets running back Breece Hall (20) scores on a 1-yard touchdown run against the Jacksonville Jaguars during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)

New York Jets running back Breece Hall (20) scores against the Jacksonville Jaguars on a 1-yard run during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)

A New York Jets fan reacts to a missed field goal during the second half of an NFL football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)

New York Jets wide receiver Davante Adams (17) scores ahead of Jacksonville Jaguars safety Darnell Savage (6) on a 71-yard touchdown reception during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)

New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) throws a pass against the Jacksonville Jaguars during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)

New York Jets wide receiver Davante Adams (17) gets between Jacksonville Jaguars safety Darnell Savage (6) and linebacker Devin Lloyd (33) tomscore on a 71-yard touchdown reception during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)