Braun Denies Clemency for Jeffrey Weisheit Ahead of Nov. 5 Execution

Gov. Eric J. Braun denied a request to pause the execution of Indiana death row inmate Jeffrey Weisheit. The governor made the announcement just after 4 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 2. Weisheit is scheduled to be put to death by lethal injection before dawn on Thursday, Nov. 5.

Weisheit was convicted of the 2010 murders of 8-year-old Alyssa Lynch and 5-year-old Caleb Lynch in a Vanderburgh County arson. In a statement, Braun said he was accepting the Parole Board’s unanimous recommendation to deny clemency. The Indiana Department of Correction will continue preparations to carry out the court-ordered sentence.

Attorneys for Weisheit filed a request on Monday to delay the execution. They argued that the state purchased the lethal injection drug pentobarbitol from Pharmaneek. The Indiana Board of Pharmacy placed Pharmaneek on indefinite probation on March 31. The board cited failing safety inspections and unprofessional practices that led to drug contamination.

A hearing is set for Nov. 9 to determine whether Pharmaneek’s license will be terminated. The legal request contended that execution drugs should come from reputable channels rather than a pharmacy that the Attorney General’s Office seeks to shut down. The attorneys also pushed for an independent investigation into the quality and procurement of the drugs.

Joe Perkovich, one of Weisheit’s attorneys, called the situation alarming in a release. He noted that the state bought drugs from a pharmacy it is trying to close due to major safety issues in storage and management. Perkovich urged the governor to pause executions and investigate the provider to ensure the drugs meet basic legal standards.

The Indiana Department of Correction responded to the news request with a statement regarding the process. The department stated it is in compliance with Indiana laws governing the confidential procurement of drugs used for executions. It expressed confidence in its ability to humanely carry out the sentence for the murders of two innocent children.