Casey Smith, a senior reporter for the Indiana Capital Chronicle, shared her experience of being in the viewing chamber during the execution of Joseph Corcoran. Corcoran, convicted for the 1997 quadruple murder in Fort Wayne, Indiana, was executed early Wednesday morning.

Smith was granted access to the chamber by one of Corcoran’s attorneys and was part of a group that included Corcoran’s wife, Tahina, her son, and another attorney.

A Somber Atmosphere

Smith described the environment throughout the process as deeply quiet and reflective.

“From the time we were picked up by a DOC van to go through the prison, through security, to the execution viewing, and then back—it was very quiet and somber,” she said.

The group entered the viewing chamber at 12:32 a.m., and the one-sided window blinds were opened two minutes later. Corcoran was pronounced dead at 12:44 a.m.

Corcoran’s Final Moments

Corcoran’s spiritual advisor, Rev. David Leitzel, was present with him during the execution. Leitzel later reflected that the procedure went as peacefully as possible under the circumstances.

“From his point of view, it went as well as it could have for Joe,” Smith said, adding that Leitzel believed Corcoran was in a calm mental state in the days leading up to his execution.

During the six minutes the blinds were up, Corcoran remained largely motionless, with only minimal movement of his hand and fingers.

“From my perspective, it didn’t look like he was in distress at least,” Smith observed.

A Journalist’s Reflection

Smith’s account highlights the stark and subdued nature of the event. “It was a very heads-down, quiet experience. I think everyone was in their own headspace before, during, and after,” she said.

Corcoran’s execution marks another chapter in Indiana’s contentious history with the death penalty. Smith’s firsthand account provides a rare glimpse into the emotional gravity of witnessing such a procedure.