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Indiana high court leaves Nov. 5 execution date in place for Jeffrey Weisheit
The Indiana Supreme Court unanimously rejected Jeffrey Weisheit’s requests for brain scans and a delay, ruling it cannot order medical transport or pause the governor’s clemency process. Gov. Mike Braun still has the authority to grant clemency before the scheduled execution.
INDIANAPOLIS — The Indiana Supreme Court on Thursday denied two emergency motions from Jeffrey Weisheit, leaving his execution by lethal injection scheduled for before sunrise Nov. 5 for the 2010 deaths of 5-year-old Caleb Lynch and 8-year-old Alyssa Lynch.
Weisheit, 50, asked the court on Oct. 12 to arrange his transfer from prison to a medical imaging facility for brain scans and to delay his execution and clemency proceedings for 14 days. His attorneys have argued that severe mental illness and possible brain trauma contributed to the killings. The state opposed the requests.
The justices ruled unanimously that the court has no authority to order the medical transport or halt clemency proceedings, which are controlled by the governor. The decision does not prevent Gov. Mike Braun from granting clemency; if he does, Weisheit could serve life in prison without parole instead of being executed.
The Indiana Parole Board has heard from Weisheit and other speakers at clemency proceedings held Oct. 16 and Monday. The board will make a nonbinding recommendation to Braun.
During Monday’s hearing, the children’s mother, Lisa Lynch, appeared virtually and urged the board to remember Caleb and Alyssa. “I am here today to ensure my children’s voices are heard,” she said. “As their mother, it is my duty to protect and stand up for them, and I am here today to honor their lives.”
Weisheit’s relatives also spoke about his struggles with depression and suicide attempts when he was younger, as well as the gentler side of him they knew. His attorneys cited his mental health and possible brain trauma in arguing for clemency.
On April 9, 2010, Weisheit set fire to his girlfriend’s house. Caleb and Alyssa died from smoke and soot inhalation. The Indiana Department of Correction has spent $275,000 on execution drugs, according to records obtained by state investigators.