(Michigan City, IN) - An Indiana State Prison inmate was put to death early today.

 

Benjamin Ritchie was given a lethal injection for the murder of a police officer downstate nearly 25 years ago.

 

Governor Mike Braun, who decided not to stop the execution, said the case was reviewed numerous times by the state and federal courts, including the U.S. Supreme County.

 

It was the second execution in Indiana in 15 years, but the second since December when the state resumed carrying out the death penalty.

 

After the execution, his attorney Richard Schutte said described how Ritchie reacted once given the lethal injection after midnight. 

 

“He sat up and violently twitched for about three seconds.  Laid back down and then about two or three minutes later they closed the blinds,” he said.

 

Prior to the execution, the defense argued Ritchie should not be put to death due to brain damage from his mother abusing alcohol during her pregnancy.