SOMERS, Conn. (AP) – The U.S. Supreme Court on Thursday night refused to stop the lethal injection of serial killer Michael Ross despite last-minute pleas from his relatives, paving the way for New England’s first execution in 45 years.

Ross, an Ivy League graduate who struggled to hasten his own death while being forced to prove he wasn’t out of his mind, was scheduled to be put to death at 2:01 a.m. today.

The high court turned away a lawsuit brought on behalf of Ross’ father that claimed the execution would lead to a wave of suicide attempts by Connecticut inmates, said Kevin Rowe, chief clerk of U.S. District Court in Connecticut.

The justices also rejected an attempt by Ross’ sister to intervene in the case and argue that her brother is not competent in deciding to forgo remaining appeals and accept the death sentence.