Beech Grove Officer Bill Toney was killed in the line of duty on Sept. 29, 2000 by Benjamin Ritchie. Richie was convicted of murder in 2002 and sentenced to death. After a lengthy legal battle, Richie’s execution date was set for May 20, 2025. However, a clemency hearing for Richie is scheduled for May 5 and 12, sparking several Beech Grove residents and nearby locals to send letters opposing the move to the Indiana Parole Board and Governor Mike Braun to “show DeeDee [Horen, widow of Officer Toney] and the girls we stand united.”
The first hearing is scheduled at the Indiana State Prison in Michigan City, and the second at the Indiana Government Center in Indianapolis.
According to the Indiana Capital Chronicle, both meetings are open to the public. The parole board will conduct a 10 a.m. interview with Ritchie at the state prison hearing. During the latter meeting, the board will hear testimony in favor of clemency from 9 a.m. to 11:00 a.m., and testimony opposed to clemency from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
The clemency board weighs the merits of a petition for clemency, but the final decision is made by Braun.
According to The Indiana Capital Chronicle, three clemencies have been granted in Indiana since 1976.
Background on Beech Grove cop killer
According to a court filing, Ritchie and two others stole a van from a gas station in Beech Grove. Someone reported the theft and police officers completed a stolen vehicle report. Later that night, a patrol officer recognized the stolen van and pursued it. After a short chase, the van pulled into someone’s yard where Ritchie and another person jumped out of the van and fled on foot. Officer Toney chased Ritchie. Ritchie turned and fired four shots at Officer Toney, who died at the scene at 717 Fletcher Lane. Ritchie was subsequently convicted of murder.
Officer Toney was 31 when he was killed, having served the Beech Grove community for more than two years as a law enforcement officer.
Local opposition to clemency for Beech Grove cop killer
“Granting clemency in this case would not show compassion- it would show disregard for the life of a slain officer, for the verdict of the jurors, and for the law itself,” wrote State Rep. Andrew Ireland (R-Indianapolis). “It would send the wrong message to every officer who risks their life for our safety and to every would-be killer who thinks time alone can outlast justice.”
“When society asks someone to put on a badge and place it over his or her heart, we make a sacred covenant, a covenant that says we as a society will stand behind those officers who enforce the law and against those who break the law,” wrote Eric Hoffman, Delaware County prosecutor. “I believe that granting clemency [to Benjamin Ritchie] would be a gross miscarriage of justice.”
“Granting clemency in this case would send a devastating message: that a life taken in the line of duty, in the service of others, can be discounted at the final hour,” wrote another local. “That would be a cruel outcome not only for Officer Toney’s loved ones, but for every law enforcement officer who continues to serve today.”
[RELATED: Coffman delivers state of the city address]
Several other locals shared that they sent a letter or an email.
Anyone interested can send an email to cl***********************@*****in.gov, including “Benjamin Ritchie 967072” in the subject line by May 2.