Alan Matheney

Alan Lehman Matheney (November 6, 1950 – September 28, 2005) was an American convicted of beating his ex-wife to death, Lisa Bianco, with a .410 bore shotgun while on an eight-hour furlough from prison on March 4, 1989. At the time he was serving a sentence at Pendleton Correctional Facility for battery and confinement of Bianco.

Background Matheney married Lisa Bianco in 1977. The two lived together in Mishawaka, Indiana. They had two daughters together. During their marriage, Matheney became physically abusive towards his wife. In 1985, Bianco divorced him. Shortly after the divorce was finalized, Alan kidnapped their two daughters and fled out of state. He came back with them when Bianco promised to drop the charges. Even so, this case was held up on appeals for 16 years. The case caused a law change in the state of Indiana, which required victims to be informed if an inmate was released. The State also agreed to pay the estate of Bianco $900,000 in compensation.

At his trial he argued that he was legally insane. One mental health professional diagnosed him as having schizophreniform disorder and another said he had paranoid personality disorder with psychotic delusions. None said he was legally insane at the time of the crime. Matheney stated that he believed Bianco was in a conspiracy against him.

He refused to appear before a hearing of the Indiana Parole Board on September 19. Then on September 24, 2005, the Indiana Supreme Court ruled 5–0 to reject a request for a new trial. Finally, Governor Mitch Daniels denied clemency on September 27.

His lawyer released a final statement that read: I love my family and my children. I'm sorry for the pain I've caused them. I thank my friends who stood by me … I'm sure my grandchildren will grow up happy and healthy in the care of their wonderful parents.

He was convicted of burglary and murder. This is the most executions in a calendar year in Indiana since executions were resumed in 1977.

Aftermath The murder of Lisa Bianco inspired the use of the purple ribbon to represent domestic violence awareness, as purple as had been Bianco's favorite color. Her family and friends tied purple ribbons throughout the county.