South Carolina prepares for first execution in 13 years after securing drugs
South Carolina inmate Freddie Eugene Owens is set to undergo the state’s first execution in 13 years, about a year after the state obtained the necessary drugs to carry out a lethal injection.
Owens was convicted of murdering Irene Graves, a 41-year-old mother of three children who was shot during a robbery while she was working overnight at a convenience store in Greenville on November 1, 1997.
Owens, who was 19 at the time, has maintained his innocence in the case and over the past 27 years has filed motions asking the court to halt the execution and has requested clemency from Gov. Henry McMaster (R).
Holding with tradition, McMaster said he will ultimately announce his clemency decision in a phone call with the prison moments before Owens’ scheduled lethal injection start time, according to the Associated Press.
However, no governor has granted clemency to a death row inmate since 1976, and McMaster praised the Supreme Court's decision to uphold the death sentence this summer.
“The Supreme Court has rightfully upheld the rule of law,” the governor said. “This decision is another step in ensuring that lawful sentences can be duly enforced and the families and loved ones of the victims receive the closure and justice they have long awaited.”
This week, the Supreme Court again refused to halt the execution, despite new testimony from his co-defendant denying that Owens was there the night of the killing.
However, Owens has admitted to another murder, detailing the killing of his former cellmate, Christopher Lee, before he was convicted in the Graves case. Owens blamed the act on years of abuse as a juvenile from his father and other inmates in prison prior to this conviction.
“I’m as fragile as a child,” Owens wrote in letters to his former girlfriend Aisha when he was first incarcerated.
Owens is scheduled to be executed by lethal injection at 6 p.m. on Friday at the Broad River Correctional Institute in Columbia, South Carolina.
The execution was delayed for years because the drugs needed for a lethal injection were not available, and procedures for a firing squad were still being finalized. Owners and his lawyers argued the third method, electric chair, was cruel and unusual.
The state obtained the lethal injection drugs in September 2023.
The Hill has reached out to all parties involved for comment.
Date: |
-
The Guardian - World
South Carolina to execute man despite bombshell admission from key witness
Khalil Divine Black Sun Allah, 46, appeals for clemency from governor as co-defendant says he lied at trial. South Carolina is set to execute a man on death row on Friday, days after the key ...10 hours ago -
ABC News - Top stories
Small town South Carolina officer wounded in shooting during traffic stop
State police in South Carolina say they found a man who shot and wounded a small town police officer during a traffic stop4 hours ago -
Financial Times - Business
Nike shares jump after sportswear maker replaces chief executive
Oregon-based company brings in retired executive Elliott Hill to turn around its performance7 hours ago -
ABC News - Tech
Scientists say they have identified the first known outbreak of rabies in seals
Tests on dead Cape fur seals in South Africa have shown some had rabies7 hours ago -
ABC News - Health
Scientists in South Africa say they have identified the first known outbreak of rabies in seals
Tests on dead Cape fur seals in South Africa have shown some had rabies7 hours ago -
CBS Sports - Sports
2025 NFL Draft: Shavon Revel Jr., projected first-rounder and East Carolina star, out for season, per report
Revel stayed at East Carolina despite attempts from Power Four programs to lure him into the portal4 hours ago - NFL -
Yahoo Sports - Sports
East Carolina CB Shavon Revel Jr., projected as NFL Draft first-rounder, suffers torn ACL in practice
East Carolina senior cornerback Shavon Revel Jr., projected as a first-round NFL Draft pick, tore his ACL during practice this week.51 minutes ago - NFL -
The Hill - Politics
Is China preparing to attack Japan?
China may be preparing a surprise attack against Japan, involving a massive missile barrage against all major U.S. and Japanese military installations, in order to maximize the effectiveness of a ...2 hours ago - China -
NBC News - Top stories
House passes bill to boost presidential candidate security after apparent Trump assassination attempt
The House unanimously passed a bill to boost Secret Service protection for Donald Trump and Kamala Harris after apparent assassination attempts.5 hours ago - Donald Trump
More from The Hill
-
The Hill - Politics
Harris invokes Georgia woman's death in Atlanta speech on abortion rights
Vice President Harris spoke forcefully Friday about the pain experienced by women in states with abortion bans, placing the blame for their suffering squarely on Republicans and former President ...15 minutes ago - Abortion -
The Hill - Politics
Prosecutors drop weapons charge against Victoria Spartz
Local prosecutors dropped a weapons charge against Rep. Victoria Spartz (R-Ind.) for bringing a firearm to Dulles International Airport over the summer, court records show. Spartz was scheduled to ...32 minutes ago -
The Hill - Politics
Florida Republican clashes with US Ambassador over Venezuela sanctions
Rep. Maria Salazar (R-Fla.) criticized the US ambassador to Nicaragua over oil and gas policy in Venezuela in a House Foreign Affairs subcommittee hearing on Friday. “You’re sending a very weak ...41 minutes ago - Florida -
The Hill - Politics
Views split on Trump, Harris over economy
Welcome to The Hill's Business & Economy newsletter {beacon} Business & Economy Business & Economy The Big Story Would Trump or Harris better handle the economy? A new survey finds voters see ...47 minutes ago - Donald Trump -
The Hill - Politics
Trial in Ashli Babbitt family’s lawsuit over Jan. 6 death set for 2026
A wrongful death lawsuit filed by Jan. 6 rioter Ashli Babbitt’s family against the U.S. government will go to trial in 2026, a judge said Friday during a status hearing in the case. U.S. District ...59 minutes ago