The looming execution of Joseph Corcoran has drawn sharp criticism from David Frank, the President of the Indiana Abolition Coalition, who has labeled the decision as “cruel and barbaric.” Corcoran’s execution, scheduled for today, will mark the first in Indiana in 15 years.

A Controversial Decision After Years of Moratorium

Frank expressed frustration with the Indiana Supreme Court’s denial of a motion to stay Corcoran’s execution.

“We heard news this summer that after a 15-year moratorium on executions, the state had reconsidered and decided to proceed… The state is proceeding to execute Mr. Corcoran just because it can,” he stated.

This execution would end Indiana’s long-standing halt on capital punishment, a move Frank and other abolitionists deem unnecessary and arbitrary.

Concerns Over the Use of Pentobarbital

Adding to the controversy is Indiana’s decision to use the drug Pentobarbital for the execution. This will be the first time the state employs this method, raising concerns among advocacy groups.

“The state has never used this drug before and never used this procedure before, so they are experimenting on Mr. Corcoran,” Frank said, highlighting the potential for complications.

Pentobarbital has faced criticism in other states for causing severe distress during executions, further fueling debate over its use.

Mental Health and Ethical Implications

Corcoran’s mental health has become a focal point in the discussions surrounding his case. Multiple medical professionals have deemed him mentally unfit, yet his execution is proceeding as planned.

“Killing simply because you can is not a reason. It’s an act of caprice, it’s an act of cruelty,” Frank argued.

Critics of the execution suggest that capital punishment, particularly in cases involving mental illness, fails to align with modern standards of justice and humanity.

Execution Resumes in Indiana After 15 Years

If carried out, Corcoran’s death will be the first execution in Indiana since 2009. The decision to resume capital punishment has rekindled debate over the morality, efficacy, and necessity of the death penalty in the state.

Frank and the Indiana Abolition Coalition continue to campaign against capital punishment, advocating for alternatives and raising awareness about its implications.