6 months, 2 weeks ago

South Carolina justices refuse to stop state’s first execution in 13 years

COLUMBIA, S.C. — The South Carolina Supreme Court on Thursday refused to stop the execution of Freddie Owens who is set to die by lethal injection next week in the state’s first execution in 13 years. That evidence, plus an argument that Owens’ death sentence was too harsh because a jury never conclusively determined he pulled the trigger on the shot that killed a convenience store clerk, didn’t reach the “exceptional circumstances” needed to allow Owens another appeal, the justices wrote in their order. Prosecutors never found the weapon used and didn’t present any scientific evidence linking Owens to the killing at his trial, although after Owens’ death sentence was overturned, prosecutors showed the man who killed the clerk was wearing a ski mask while the other man inside for the robbery had a stocking mask. Earlier Thursday, opponents of the death penalty gathered outside McMaster’s office to urge him to become the first South Carolina governor since the death penalty was restarted in the U.S. in 1976 to grant clemency.

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History of this topic

South Carolina man executed by firing squad is first US prisoner killed this way in 15 years

New Indian Express

COLUMBIA: A South Carolina man who killed his ex-girlfriend's parents with a baseball bat was executed by firing squad Friday, the first U.S. prisoner in 15 years to die by that method, which he saw as preferable to the electric chair or lethal injection. Three volunteer prison employees used rifles to carry out the execution of Brad Sigmon, 67, who …

3 weeks, 2 days ago

South Carolina executes Brad Sigmon by firing squad, first US execution of its kind in 15 years

India Today

South Carolina carried out its first firing squad execution in 15 years on Friday, executing 67-year-old Brad Sigmon. Three volunteer prison employees fired rifles, and Sigmon was pronounced dead at 6:08 p.m. Sigmon was convicted of brutally killing his ex-girlfriend’s parents in 2001 using a baseball bat in their Greenville County home. Sigmon’s last statement and final meal Sigmon’s attorney …

South Carolina man, convicted of murder, becomes first U.S. prisoner executed by firing squad in 15 years

The Hindu

A South Carolina man convicted of murder was executed by firing squad Friday, the first U.S. prisoner to die by that method in 15 years. Sigmon’s lawyers said he chose the firing squad because the electric chair would “cook him alive,” and he feared that a lethal injection of pentobarbital into his veins would send a rush of fluid and …

A South Carolina man executed by firing squad is the first US prisoner killed this way in 15 years

Associated Press

COLUMBIA, S.C. — A South Carolina man who killed his ex-girlfriend’s parents with a baseball bat was executed by firing squad Friday, the first U.S. prisoner in 15 years to die by that method, which he saw as preferable to the electric chair or lethal injection. Vivian Lovingood protests the scheduled execution of South Carolina inmate Brad Sigmon, Friday, March …

3 weeks, 3 days ago

South Carolina man executed by firing squad, first in U.S. in 15 years

LA Times

Protesters opposed to the death penalty rally shortly before Brad Sigmon was executed in Columbia, S.C., on Friday. A South Carolina man who killed his ex-girlfriend’s parents with a baseball bat was executed by firing squad Friday, the first U.S. prisoner in 15 years to die by that method, which he saw as preferable to the electric chair or lethal …

3 weeks, 4 days ago

South Carolina Supreme Court rejects man's final appeal, clearing way for firing squad execution

New Indian Express

COLUMBIA: The South Carolina Supreme Court has rejected what is likely the final appeal of condemned man Brad Sigmon, clearing the way for Friday's firing squad execution. Sigmon's lawyers wanted to delay his death so they could get a fuller hearing in court to learn more information about the drug South Carolina uses in lethal injections. Sigmon's attorneys also argued …

3 weeks, 4 days ago

South Carolina Supreme Court rejects man's final appeal, clearing way for firing squad execution

Hindustan Times

COLUMBIA, S.C. — The South Carolina Supreme Court has rejected what is likely the final appeal of condemned man Brad Sigmon, clearing the way for Friday's firing squad execution. South Carolina Supreme Court rejects man's final appeal, clearing way for firing squad execution Sigmon's lawyers wanted to delay his death so they could get a fuller hearing in court to …

3 weeks, 4 days ago

South Carolina Supreme Court rejects man’s final appeal, clearing way for firing squad execution

Associated Press

COLUMBIA, S.C. — The South Carolina Supreme Court has rejected what is likely the final appeal of condemned man Brad Sigmon, clearing the way for Friday’s firing squad execution. Sigmon’s lawyers wanted to delay his death so they could get a fuller hearing in court to learn more information about the drug South Carolina uses in lethal injections. Lawyers for …

1 month ago

South Carolina man set to face a firing squad seeks postponement, questioning execution procedures

Associated Press

COLUMBIA, S.C. — A South Carolina man who is scheduled to die next week by firing squad is again asking that his execution be postponed and prison officials release more information about the state’s lethal injection drug and procedures. Sigmon’s attorney said autopsy results from Marion Bowman’s Jan. 31 execution released earlier this week showed he needed twice the dose …

1 month, 1 week ago

Condemned South Carolina killer chooses firing squad execution in what would be first use of that method in US in 15 years

CNN

Columbia, South Carolina AP — Condemned South Carolina inmate Brad Sigmon has chosen to die next month by a firing squad, a method of execution that has not been used in the US in 15 years. On Friday, he became the first South Carolina inmate to choose the state’s new firing squad over lethal injection or the electric chair. “If …

1 month, 2 weeks ago

Man on death row in South Carolina seeks postponement to get autopsy from last execution

Hindustan Times

COLUMBIA, S.C. — A condemned man who is the next person scheduled to be put to death in South Carolina is again asking for his execution date be postponed because his lawyers have not received the autopsy report from the last execution two weeks ago. Man on death row in South Carolina seeks postponement to get autopsy from last execution …

1 month, 3 weeks ago

South Carolina sets next execution date as inmate questions lethal injection doses

Associated Press

COLUMBIA, S.C. — The South Carolina Supreme Court has set a March 7 date for the latest execution in the state’s suddenly busy death chamber. The justices on Friday rejected a request from Brad Sigmon’s lawyers to delay setting a date for his death until they get autopsy results from the inmate killed in last week’s lethal injection, the third …

2 months ago

South Carolina to carry out first U.S. execution of 2025

Raw Story

A South Carolina man convicted of murder is scheduled to be put to death by lethal injection on Friday, the first execution in the United States this year. Bowman has filed numerous appeals seeking to put off his execution including a claim that the attorney who defended him at trial "held racist attitudes." Bowman's attorneys also argued that two witnesses …

2 months ago

South Carolina puts inmate Marion Bowman Jr. to death in state’s third execution since September

Associated Press

COLUMBIA, S.C. — South Carolina put a third inmate to death in four months Friday as it goes through a backlog of prisoners who exhausted their appeals while the state couldn’t find lethal injection drugs. In his final statement, Bowman said death row inmates might be labeled the worst of the worst, but they have all grown and changed from …

2 months ago

Death penalty in focus as South Carolina plans third execution in four months

India Today

South Carolina is preparing to execute the third inmate to be put to death since September as the state goes through a backlog of prisoners who exhausted their appeals while the state couldn’t find lethal injection drugs. No governor in the previous 45 executions in South Carolina since capital punishment was reinstated in 1976 has given mercy and reduced a …

2 months, 1 week ago

Condemned inmate worried South Carolina needed 2 lethal injections doses at last execution

Associated Press

COLUMBIA, S.C. — South Carolina’s latest execution should be halted so that lawyers for the condemned inmate can get more information about the drug used for lethal injection after the last prisoner put to death needed two massive doses of the sedative 11 minutes apart, the attorneys said in court papers. An anesthesiologist who reviewed the autopsy records of Richard …

2 months, 1 week ago

South Carolina man chooses to die by lethal injection instead of electric chair or firing squad

Associated Press

COLUMBIA, S.C. — A South Carolina inmate who has spent more than half his life on death row has chosen to die by lethal injection instead of by electric chair or firing squad later this month. We will continue to support him and hope that South Carolina does not execute another innocent man,” Bowman’s attorney Lindsey Vann said in a …

2 months, 3 weeks ago

After holiday pause, South Carolina begins scheduling executions again

Associated Press

COLUMBIA, S.C. — South Carolina’s Supreme Court set a Jan. 31 date for the state’s next execution after allowing a pause for the Christmas holidays. The court could have set a date as early as Dec. 6 for Bowman’s death, but the justices accepted without comment a request from lawyers for the four inmates awaiting execution that the state pause …

4 months, 2 weeks ago

South Carolina to take a break from executions for the holidays

Associated Press

COLUMBIA, S.C. — The South Carolina Supreme Court has decided the state should take a break from executions for the holidays. South Carolina restarted its death chamber this year after an unintended 13-year break in executions in part because companies refused to sell the state drugs needed for lethal injections if the companies could be identified. South Carolina was among …

4 months, 2 weeks ago

South Carolina does not set a date for the next execution after requests for a holiday pause

Associated Press

COLUMBIA, S.C. — South Carolina’s Supreme Court has not set a date for the state’s next execution after lawyers for four inmates out of appeals asked them to postpone deaths until after Christmas and New Year’s. The justices typically issue notices on Fridays because it gives the maximum amount of time of 28 days to prepare for the execution which …

4 months, 4 weeks ago

Last Chance for Richard Moore: Plea for Mercy and Redemption

Associated Press

Richard Moore, scheduled to be executed by lethal injection in South Carolina, has one last chance to have his life spared. His lawyers have asked Republican Gov. Henry McMaster for clemency, which no governor in the state has granted in the previous 44 executions in the state since the death penalty restarted in 1976. Moore, 59, is a changed man …

4 months, 4 weeks ago

Justices refuse to stop execution of South Carolina inmate who says the jury was racially biased

The Independent

Get Nadine White's Race Report newsletter for a fresh perspective on the week's news Get our free newsletter from The Independent's Race Correspondent Get our free newsletter from The Independent's Race Correspondent SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy The U.S. Supreme Court on Thursday refused to …

5 months, 1 week ago

Condemned South Carolina inmate chooses to die by lethal injection

The Independent

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Please try again later {{ …

6 months, 1 week ago

Last meal of death row inmate revealed after South Carolina’s first execution in 13 years

The Independent

The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy South Carolina has executed …

6 months, 1 week ago

South Carolina executes a man for first time in 13 years despite new testimony hints at his innocence

Firstpost

The 46-year-old inmate was killed by a lethal injection and was pronounced dead at 6:55 p.m.. However, the execution came days after the key witness for the prosecution came forward to admit that he lied at the trial South Carolina executed death row inmate Freddie Owens, the first man to be put to death by the state in 13 years. …

6 months, 1 week ago

US man convicted of killing store clerk faces death in first of 5 executions over next week

Firstpost

Owens was sentenced to death in 1999 for the murder of Irene Graves, a mother of three, during an armed robbery of a convenience store in Greenville, South Carolina, on Halloween night in 1997 This undated booking photo obtained from the South Carolina Department of Corrections in Columbia, South Carolina, shows death row inmate Freddie Owens, 46. AFP A man …

6 months, 1 week ago

South Carolina inmate dies by lethal injection in state’s first execution in 13 years

Associated Press

COLUMBIA, S.C. — South Carolina put inmate Freddie Owens to death Friday as the state restarted executions after an unintended 13-year pause because prison officials couldn’t get the drugs needed for lethal injections. South Carolina’s governor and corrections director swiftly filed a reply, stating the high court should reject Owens’ petition. First execution in 13 years Owens may be the …

6 months, 1 week ago

South Carolina Supreme Court rejects claim inmate didn’t kill clerk and refuses to stop execution

Associated Press

COLUMBIA, S.C. — The South Carolina Supreme Court has again refused to stop the execution of inmate Freddie Owens who is set to die Friday by lethal injection. Golden testified at Owens’ trial, saying prosecutors promised to consider his testimony in his favor but he still faced the death penalty or life in prison. Prosecutors have said Golden wasn’t the …

6 months, 1 week ago

South Carolina death row inmate asks governor for clemency

The Independent

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. While awaiting sentencing after being found guilty in her …

6 months, 3 weeks ago

Forced to choose how to die, South Carolina inmate lets lawyer pick lethal injection

Associated Press

COLUMBIA, S.C. — A condemned inmate forced to choose how he’ll be put to death ended weeks of suspense by leaving the decision to his lawyer, who reluctantly told South Carolina prison officials on Friday to prepare for a lethal injection, rather than the electric chair or a firing squad. Owens’ death is now set for Sept. 20, as South …

6 months, 3 weeks ago

Forced to choose how to die, South Carolina inmate lets lawyer pick lethal injection

The Independent

6 months, 3 weeks ago

Inmate awaiting execution says South Carolina didn’t share enough about lethal injection drug

Associated Press

COLUMBIA, S.C. — Lawyers for the South Carolina inmate scheduled to be put to death later this month said Tuesday state prison officials didn’t provide enough information about the drug to decide whether he wants to die by lethal injection. How much information should be released to a condemned inmate is one of several pending legal issues before the South …

7 months ago

Inmate asks to delay execution, says co-defendant who blamed him for killing had secret deal

Associated Press

COLUMBIA, S.C. — An inmate set to be executed in South Carolina in three weeks wants the state Supreme Court to delay the execution so his lawyers can argue his co-defendant who testified against him lied about having no plea deal in exchange for his testimony. Also on Friday, the South Carolina’s Supreme Court promised it would wait at least …

55 years, 2 months ago

Is South Carolina Willing to Heed the Clearest Lesson We Have About Executions?

Slate

Carrying out an execution is always a complicated business that takes a horrible toll on anyone who is associated with it. On Monday, the South Carolina Supreme Court gave the go-ahead for the state’s next execution and also agreed to consider a request from four of the state’s death-row inmates that South Carolina wait at least three months between executions. …

7 months ago

South Carolina prison director says electric chair, firing squad and lethal injection ready to go

The Independent

7 months ago

South Carolina prison director says electric chair, firing squad and lethal injection ready to go

Associated Press

COLUMBIA, S.C. — South Carolina’s prisons director said Wednesday that state’s supply of a lethal injection drug is pure, its electric chair was tested two months ago and its firing squad has the ammunition and training to carry out its first execution next month in more than 13 years. Corrections Director Bryan Stirling was ordered by the state Supreme Court …

7 months ago

Florida says execution shouldn't be stayed for Parkinson's symptoms

The Independent

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Attorneys for the state of …

7 months ago

South Carolina Supreme Court to decide minimum time between executions

Associated Press

The South Carolina Supreme Court won’t allow another execution in the state until it determines a minimum amount of time between sending inmates to the death chamber. But as it set Owens’ execution date Friday, the court also agreed to take up a request from four other death row inmates who are out of appeals to require the state to …

7 months ago

South Carolina Supreme Court to decide minimum time between executions

The Independent

7 months ago

A Florida man set to be executed this week appeals to the US Supreme Court for a stay

Associated Press

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — A Florida man scheduled to be put to death on Thursday is asking the U.S. Supreme Court to delay his execution so that his challenge to Florida’s lethal injection procedures can be heard. On Monday, Cole appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court to stay the execution, arguing that his challenge of the state’s lethal injection procedures deserves …

7 months, 1 week ago

South Carolina sets date for first execution in more than 13 years

The Independent

7 months, 1 week ago

South Carolina sets date for first execution in more than 13 years

Associated Press

COLUMBIA, S.C. — South Carolina has set a Sept. 20 date to put inmate Freddie Eugene Owens to death in what would be the state’s first execution in more than 13 years. He must also give Owens’ lawyers proof that the lethal injection drug is stable and correctly mixed, according to the high court’s 2023 interpretation of the state’s secrecy …

8 months ago

South Carolina Supreme Court rules state death penalty including firing squad is legal

Associated Press

COLUMBIA, S.C. — South Carolina can execute death row inmates by firing squad, lethal injection or the electric chair, the state’s high court ruled Wednesday, opening the door to restart executions after more than a decade. South Carolina allowing inmates to choose from the three execution methods is far from an effort to inflict pain but a sincere attempt at …

8 months ago

South Carolina Supreme Court rules state death penalty including firing squad is legal

CNN

COLUMBIA, S.C. AP — The South Carolina Supreme Court ruled Wednesday that the state’s death penalty, which now includes a firing squad as well as lethal injection and the electric chair, is legal. The Supreme Court allowed the inmates to add arguments that the shield law was too secret by not releasing the potency, purity and stabilization of lethal injection …

1 year ago

Missouri Supreme Court declines to halt execution of a man who killed 2 in 2006

Associated Press

The Missouri Supreme Court on Wednesday declined to halt the execution of Brian Dorsey, who is scheduled to die next month for killing his cousin and her husband 18 years ago. Powell also wrote that the state Supreme Court previously turned aside Dorsey’s claim that his trial lawyer was ineffective, and he is barred from raising that claim again. “The …

1 year, 1 month ago

South Carolina wants to restart executions by firing squad, electric chair and lethal injection

Hindustan Times

Lawyers for four death row inmates who have run out of appeals are expected to argue to the South Carolina Supreme Court that the state's old electric chair and new firing squad are cruel and unusual punishments. If the Supreme Court justices allow executions to restart and any additional appeals are unsuccessful, South Carolina's death chamber, unused since May 2011, …

1 year, 1 month ago

South Carolina wants to restart executions with firing squad, electric chair and lethal injection

Associated Press

COLUMBIA, S.C. — Lawyers for four death row inmates who have run out of appeals argued to the South Carolina Supreme Court on Tuesday that the state’s old electric chair and new firing squad are cruel and unusual punishments. And they got a lawyer for the inmates to say if the Supreme Court bans electrocution and the firing squad and …

1 year, 2 months ago

Alabama court says state can make second attempt to execute inmate whose lethal injection failed

Associated Press

MONTGOMERY, Ala. — The Alabama Supreme Court on Friday rejected the appeal of a death row inmate who is scheduled to be the first person put to death with nitrogen gas and had argued that he shouldn’t face execution after a previous attempt at a lethal injection failed. Justices without dissent rejected arguments that a second attempt to execute Kenneth …

1 year, 4 months ago

South Carolina has lethal injection drug but justices want more info before restarting executions

Associated Press

COLUMBIA, S.C. — South Carolina’s highest court apparently is not ready to allow the state to restart executions after more than 12 years until they hear more arguments about newly obtained lethal injection drugs as well as a recently added firing squad and the old electric chair. South Carolina has not carried out an execution since 2011 after the state’s …

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3 days, 16 hours ago

A second South Carolina death row inmate chooses execution by firing squad

LA Times

The South Carolina Department of Corrections chamber, including the electric chair, right, and a firing squad chair. A South Carolina death row inmate on Friday chose execution by firing squad, just five weeks after the state carried out its first death by bullets. “Mikal chose the firing squad instead of being burned and mutilated in the electric chair, or suffering …

Death Squad South Carolina State Firing Firing Squad Sigmon

5 days, 16 hours ago

Texas Walmart attack: Gunman who killed 23 to avoid death penalty under plea deal

India Today

The gunman who killed 23 people in a racist attack targeting Hispanic shoppers at a Walmart near the US-Mexico border in 2019 would avoid the death penalty under a plea offer announced Tuesday, abruptly ending years of efforts by prosecutors to see that he face execution by lethal injection. El Paso County District Attorney James Montoya said during a news …

Death Death Penalty Penalty Plea Hispanic Montoya Crusius

1 week, 3 days ago

Florida executes man convicted of killing 8-year-old girl, her grandmother

India Today

A Florida man convicted of murdering an 8-year-old girl and her grandmother in 1993 was executed Thursday evening after decades on death row. Prison officials confirmed that Edward James, 63, was pronounced dead at 8:15 pm following a three-drug lethal injection at Florida State Prison near Starke. The U.S. Supreme Court denied James’ final appeals earlier in the day, allowing …

Death Florida Man James Dick Her Grandmother Execution

Florida man faces execution for the killing of an 8-year-old girl and her grandmother

Hindustan Times

STARKE, Fla. — A Florida man who killed an 8-year-old girl and her grandmother on a night in which he drank heavily and used drugs is set to be executed Thursday. Florida man faces execution for the killing of an 8-year-old girl and her grandmother Edward James, 63, is scheduled to receive a lethal injection starting at 6 p.m. at …

Death Florida Court Man James Dick Her Grandmother

1 week, 4 days ago