HARRISBURG -- The Pennsylvania Department of Corrections secretary signed a notice of execution for Michael Ballard Wednesday.
Ballard killed four people in Northampton County back in 2010. He stabbed his ex-girlfriend, Denise Merhi, her father, grandfather, and a neighbor in the borough of Northampton.
The last person put to death in Pennsylvania was notorious Philadelphia killer Gary Heidnik in 1999.
The law states that if the governor does not sign an execution warrant within a specific time frame, the secretary of corrections can issue the notice.
Governor Wolf issued a moratorium on the death penalty in Pennsylvania back in February.
Ballard's execution date is set for October 19.