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BENJAMIN RITCHIE WAS PUT TO DEATH VIA LETHAL INJECTION AROUND 6AM UK TIME AFTER MORE THAN 20 YEARS ON DEATH ROW AFTER HE WAS CONVICTED IN THE FATAL SHOOTING OF A POLICE OFFICER ADAM CAILLER

Senior reporter and Reddit team lead and SARAH TULLOCH 15:43, 20 May 2025Updated 18:00, 20 May 2025 A convict on Death Row has been executed after being denied a last-minute reprieve.

Benjamin Ritchie, 45, was killed by lethal injection at around 6am UK time on Tuesday, having spent more than two decades in prison. He was previously convicted in the fatal shooting of

Beech Grove Police Officer Bill Toney during a foot chase over two decades ago. His last hope of remaining alive was shot down just two hours before his execution when the United States

Supreme Court stated: “The application for stay of execution of sentence of death presented to Justice Barrett and by her referred to the Court is denied. The petition for a writ of

certiorari is denied”. READ MORE: Death penalty halted for prisoner after judge asks if lethal injection is painful The execution was carried out in Indiana, which continued the death

penalty in December after years away from the controversial practice, attributed largely to limited availability of the lethal drugs. According to the the Daily Star, his last words were:

"I love my family, my friends, and all the support I've gotten. I hope they all find peace." For his last meal, he chose the ultimate comfort food - a Tour of Italy dish from

Olive Garden, which consists of Chicken Parmigiana, Lasangna Classico and Fettuccine Alfredo on one plate. Article continues below A coalition of media outlets launched a federal lawsuit in

Indiana to secure media access, but a federal judge rejected a preliminary injunction last week that would have permitted journalists to attend Ritchie's execution, as well as any in

the future. The judge ruled that excluding the news media does not breach the First Amendment nor does it unfairly single out the press. Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita stated:

"Early this morning, justice was served with the execution of Benjamin Ritchie, who was convicted of the heinous murder of Beech Grove Police Officer William Toney on September 29,

2000. "Today's action ensures that justice was done to honour Officer Toney's sacrifice for his community. Let this serve as a message to those who would harm our men and

women in law enforcement." Ritchie was only 20 years old when he was apprehended and charged. He and others had stolen a van in Beech Grove, near Indianapolis, before firing four shots

at police officer Toney during a foot chase, killing him. At the time, Ritchie was also on probation for a 1998 burglary conviction. Toney was 31 years old and had served as an officer at

the Beech Grove Police Department for two years. He was the first of approximately 30 officers to be killed by a firearm while on duty. "Everyone of us involved, including Bill, had

something stolen from them that they'll never get back," said Deputy Police Chief Tom Hurrle, who worked alongside Toney. The tragedy shocked the community of around 14,000

residents, who remembered the father of two as someone who always lent a helping hand. Ritchie's final days were punctuated by visits from friends and family. State regulations permit

him up to five witnesses for his execution, including legal representatives and companions. "I've ruined my life and other people's lives, and I'm so sorry for that

night," he expressed remorsefully to the parole board earlier this month. "You can't take back what you did." Article continues belowREAD MORE: Amazon teeth whitening

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