The South Carolina Supreme Court has declined to halt the upcoming execution of Freddie Owens, marking the state’s first execution in 13 years. Owens, who is set to die by lethal injection next week, faced multiple appeals that were ultimately denied by the justices. These appeals included claims of a secret deal involving a co-defendant and a juror’s observation of Owens wearing a stun belt during his trial.
Despite the challenges presented by his defense lawyers, the court ruled that Owens did not meet the criteria for a new trial, citing the lack of “exceptional circumstances.” The decision paves the way for Owens’ execution on September 20 at the Broad River Correctional Institution in Columbia.
Owens, who was sentenced to death for the 1997 murder of convenience store clerk Irene Graves in Greenville, has one final opportunity for clemency from Governor Henry McMaster. Opponents of the death penalty have called for clemency, highlighting Owens’ age at the time of the crime and the racial disparities in capital punishment.
As the state of South Carolina prepares for its first execution in over a decade, the case of Freddie Owens raises important questions about the death penalty system and the pursuit of justice.