(Indianapolis, IN) - The first execution of an Indiana prisoner in 15 years took another step closer to happening.  The Indiana Supreme Court on Thursday denied a request by inmate Joseph Corcoran.  His execution is set for December 18th at Indiana State Prison in Michigan City.  His defense argued it’s against federal law to execute someone with an intellectual disability.

Corcoran, 49, is diagnosed as a paranoid schizophrenic.  However, judges in the state’s highest court ruled there is nothing in the federal law books, though, on whether an intellectual disability applies to someone on death row who is severely mentally ill.

Corcoran can still appeal the governor and the U.S. Supreme Court.  He was convicted of killing four people in Ft. Wayne in 1999.