Justices refuse to stop execution of South Carolina inmate who says the jury was racially biased
2 months, 1 week 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 stop the execution of South Carolina inmate Richard Moore, a Black inmate whose lawyers say he is the only person on the death's death row convicted by a jury with no African American members. Moore's lawyers said no one else on South Carolina's death row started their crime unarmed or ended up killing someone in possible self-defense. If Moore dies Friday, 30 inmates would remain on South Carolina’s death row. The letter writers included two jurors and the judge from his original trial as well as a former director of the state prison system, six childhood friends, five relatives and several former attorneys who said Moore still checks on their families after they couldn’t keep him off death row.

Death South Carolina State Inmate Moore Mahoney  state  life  refuse  clerk  carolina  justices  south  biased  moore  racially  prison  stop  lawyers  execution  jury  death  mahoney  inmate

History of this topic

After holiday pause, South Carolina begins scheduling executions again
5 days, 22 hours 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 …

South Carolina executes Richard Moore for 1999 killing despite pleas from former jurors
2 months, 1 week ago

South Carolina executes Richard Moore for 1999 killing despite pleas from former jurors

The Independent  

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Last Chance for Richard Moore: Plea for Mercy and Redemption
2 months, 1 week 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 …

Desperate race to halt execution of South Carolina death row inmate
2 months, 1 week ago

Desperate race to halt execution of South Carolina death row inmate

Daily Mail  

The race is on to halt the execution of a South Carolina death row inmate just days before he is scheduled to die. The race is on to end the execution of a South Carolina death row inmate, Richard Moore, 59, just days before he is sentenced to die through means of lethal injection A clemency petition was filed on …

A Last Chance for a Condemned South Carolina Inmate
2 months, 1 week ago

A Last Chance for a Condemned South Carolina Inmate

Associated Press  

A group of people are asking the governor to spare the life of Richard Moore, who is scheduled to be executed by lethal injection in South Carolina. Moore has more than 20 people asking for his mercy, including jurors, the judge, and former prison director. His lawyers argue that clemency is an act of grace and mercy and that Moore …

Jurors, judge and former prison director all ask for mercy for condemned South Carolina inmate
2 months, 1 week ago

Jurors, judge and former prison director all ask for mercy for condemned South Carolina inmate

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 South Carolina death row inmate Richard Moore has …

Judge rules only the governor can grant clemency to a South Carolina death row inmate
2 months, 2 weeks ago

Judge rules only the governor can grant clemency to a South Carolina death row inmate

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. Henry McMaster could not fairly decide whether to reduce Moore’s death sentence …

Condemned South Carolina inmate chooses to die by lethal injection
2 months, 3 weeks ago

Condemned South Carolina inmate chooses to die by lethal injection

The Independent  

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US man convicted of killing store clerk faces death in first of 5 executions over next week
3 months, 2 weeks 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 …

South Carolina inmate dies by lethal injection in state’s first execution in 13 years
3 months, 2 weeks 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 …

South Carolina Supreme Court rejects claim inmate didn’t kill clerk and refuses to stop execution
3 months, 3 weeks 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 …

South Carolina justices refuse to stop state’s first execution in 13 years
3 months, 3 weeks ago

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

Associated Press  

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 …

Inmate asks to delay execution, says co-defendant who blamed him for killing had secret deal
4 months, 1 week 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 …

Is South Carolina Willing to Heed the Clearest Lesson We Have About Executions?
55 years 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. …

South Carolina Supreme Court to decide minimum time between executions
4 months, 1 week 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 …

South Carolina Supreme Court to decide minimum time between executions
4 months, 1 week ago

South Carolina Supreme Court to decide minimum time between executions

The Independent  

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South Carolina sets date for first execution in more than 13 years
4 months, 2 weeks ago

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

The Independent  

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South Carolina sets date for first execution in more than 13 years
4 months, 2 weeks 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 …

South Carolina Supreme Court rules state death penalty including firing squad is legal
5 months, 1 week 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 …

North Carolina death penalty case could set statewide precedent
10 months, 1 week ago

North Carolina death penalty case could set statewide precedent

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. Bacote’s case is the first to be heard …

South Carolina has lethal injection drug but justices want more info before restarting executions
1 year, 2 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 …

Alex Murdaugh avoided death sentence because of ‘racial and class privilege,’ observers say
1 year, 10 months ago

Alex Murdaugh avoided death sentence because of ‘racial and class privilege,’ observers say

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. Describing death row, Professor Sarat noted, “Throughout U.S. …

Missouri woman, 19, denied emergency motion demanding to be allowed to watch her father's execution
2 years, 1 month ago

Missouri woman, 19, denied emergency motion demanding to be allowed to watch her father's execution

Daily Mail  

Kevin Johnson is due to be executed on Tuesday November 29 for killing a cop Now she has asked for the Missouri governor to grant her father clemency She developed her relationship with her father through visits, calls and letters Corionsa Ramey was two when her father was put in prison for the killing A federal judge said the state …

Man leaves S Carolina death row as firing squad trial starts
2 years, 5 months ago

Man leaves S Carolina death row as firing squad trial starts

Associated Press  

COLUMBIA, S.C. — A South Carolina inmate who killed four people in two states is off death row after a federal appeals court ruled the judge who sentenced him to die nearly two decades ago did not consider his abusive childhood or mental illness. The ruling last week means the number of prisoners on South Carolina’s death row has been …

EXPLAINED: How US State of South Carolina Execution Firing Squad Works
2 years, 8 months ago

EXPLAINED: How US State of South Carolina Execution Firing Squad Works

News 18  

It’s unknown how long a stay will hold off the execution of Richard Bernard Moore — South Carolina’s first-ever inmate to be put to death by a firing squad — as his attorneys pursue legal challenges. South Carolina just instituted the firing squad option last year, giving condemned inmates the choice between that and electrocution, prompted by an inability to …

EXPLAINER: How South Carolina execution firing squad works
2 years, 8 months ago

EXPLAINER: How South Carolina execution firing squad works

Associated Press  

COLUMBIA, S.C. — It’s unknown how long a stay will hold off the execution of Richard Bernard Moore — South Carolina’s first-ever inmate to be put to death by a firing squad — as his attorneys pursue legal challenges. South Carolina just instituted the firing squad option last year, giving condemned inmates the choice between that and electrocution, prompted by …

EXPLAINER: How South Carolina execution firing squad works
2 years, 8 months ago

EXPLAINER: How South Carolina execution firing squad works

The Independent  

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2nd SC execution on hold after court halts firing squad plan
2 years, 8 months ago

2nd SC execution on hold after court halts firing squad plan

Associated Press  

COLUMBIA, S.C. — South Carolina’s highest court, two days after pausing plans for a rare firing squad execution, announced Friday that it was putting another execution on hold as inmates challenge the constitutionality of the state’s capital punishment methods. The order comes after the court this week temporarily blocked the state from executing Richard Bernard Moore, whose scheduled April 29 …

Court halts South Carolina plan for firing squad execution
2 years, 8 months ago

Court halts South Carolina plan for firing squad execution

Associated Press  

COLUMBIA, S.C. — South Carolina’s highest court on Wednesday issued a temporary stay blocking the state from carrying out what was set to be its first-ever firing squad execution. Attorneys for the 57-year-old inmate had sought a stay, citing pending litigation in another court challenging the constitutionality of South Carolina’s execution methods, which also include the electric chair. Moore’s execution …

South Carolina Supreme Court temporarily halts planned execution by firing squad
2 years, 8 months ago

South Carolina Supreme Court temporarily halts planned execution by firing squad

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 The South Carolina Supreme …

On Death Row for 2 Decades, South Carolina Inmate Picks the Firing Squad Over Electric Chair
2 years, 8 months ago

On Death Row for 2 Decades, South Carolina Inmate Picks the Firing Squad Over Electric Chair

News 18  

A South Carolina prisoner scheduled to be the first man executed in the state in more than a decade has decided to die by firing squad rather than in the electric chair later this month, according to court documents filed Friday. Moore’s would mark the first since Ronnie Lee Gardner ‘s 2010 execution by a five-person firing squad in Utah. …

South Carolina inmate picks firing squad over electric chair
2 years, 8 months ago

South Carolina inmate picks firing squad over electric chair

Associated Press  

COLUMBIA, S.C. — A South Carolina prisoner scheduled to be the first man executed in the state in more than a decade has decided to die by firing squad rather than in the electric chair later this month, according to court documents filed Friday. Moore’s would mark the first since Ronnie Lee Gardner ’s 2010 execution by a five-person firing …

First death row inmate to face execution in South Carolina in a decade chooses to die by firing squad
2 years, 8 months ago

First death row inmate to face execution in South Carolina in a decade chooses to die by firing squad

The Independent  

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South Carolina Inmate Picks Firing Squad Over Electric Chair
2 years, 8 months ago

South Carolina Inmate Picks Firing Squad Over Electric Chair

Huff Post  

COLUMBIA, S.C. — A South Carolina prisoner scheduled to be the first man executed in the state in more than a decade has decided to die by firing squad rather than in the electric chair later this month, according to court documents filed Friday. South Carolina-Execution via Associated Press Moore’s attorneys have asked the state Supreme Court to delay his …

South Carolina death row inmate picks firing squad over electric chair for execution
2 years, 8 months ago

South Carolina death row inmate picks firing squad over electric chair for execution

LA Times  

Richard Moore, a South Carolina inmate set to be executed later this month, has chosen to die by firing squad rather than in the electric chair. A South Carolina prisoner scheduled to be the first man executed in the state in more than a decade has decided to die by firing squad rather than in the electric chair later this …

Lawsuit over South Carolina execution methods can go forward
2 years, 8 months ago

Lawsuit over South Carolina execution methods can go forward

Associated Press  

COLUMBIA, S.C. — A judge ruled Thursday that a lawsuit brought by four death row inmates challenging South Carolina’s execution methods can move forward as the state attempts to carry out its first execution in more than a decade. Moore, 57, is also first state prisoner to face the choice of execution methods after a law went into effect last …

Inmate asks judges to halt firing squad or electrocution
2 years, 9 months ago

Inmate asks judges to halt firing squad or electrocution

Associated Press  

COLUMBIA, S.C. — A South Carolina inmate set to die either by a firing squad or in the electric chair later this month is asking the state Supreme Court to halt his execution until judges can determine if either method is cruel and unusual punishment. Moore’s lawyers said judges need to review South Carolina’s new firing squad rules to see …

Richard Bernard Moore: South Carolina man sentenced to execution by electric chair or firing squad
2 years, 9 months ago

Richard Bernard Moore: South Carolina man sentenced to execution by electric chair or firing squad

The Independent  

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Tennessee death row inmate resentenced after racism claim
3 years, 1 month ago

Tennessee death row inmate resentenced after racism claim

Associated Press  

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — A judge on Tuesday resentenced a Tennessee death row inmate to life in prison for the second time in two years, after finding the man’s trial was marred by racism during jury selection. The 2019 resentencing came after Abdur’Rahman, who is Black, petitioned to reopen his case, presenting evidence that prosecutors at his trial treated Black potential …

South Carolina inmates want deaths delayed during appeal
3 years, 6 months ago

South Carolina inmates want deaths delayed during appeal

Associated Press  

Days before what could be South Carolina’s first execution in a decade, the two inmates scheduled to die this month under the state’s recently revamped capital punishment statute want an emergency order to stop their planned electrocutions while they appeal their cases. Attorneys for both men have argued that South Carolina hasn’t tried hard enough to get lethal injection drugs …

South Carolina judge refuses to block 2 scheduled executions
3 years, 7 months ago

South Carolina judge refuses to block 2 scheduled executions

Associated Press  

COLUMBIA, S.C. — A South Carolina judge on Tuesday refused to block two executions set for later this month as she considers a lawsuit over the state’s new capital punishment law, which effectively forces condemned prisoners to choose to die by either the electric chair or firing squad. If the executions proceed as scheduled, Owens and Sigmon would likely die …

South Carolina court weighs pausing new death penalty law
3 years, 7 months ago

South Carolina court weighs pausing new death penalty law

Associated Press  

COLUMBIA, S.C. — A South Carolina judge should block the executions of two men scheduled to die later this month so the court can evaluate a new law that effectively forces death row prisoners to choose to die by either electric chair or firing squad, prisoners’ attorneys argued Monday. If South Carolina carries out the executions as scheduled, both men …

South Carolina inmate trying to halt June 18 execution
3 years, 7 months ago

South Carolina inmate trying to halt June 18 execution

Associated Press  

COLUMBIA, S.C. — The inmate scheduled to be the first put to death under South Carolina’s recently revamped capital punishment law has filed a last-minute request seeking to halt his execution in the electric chair, arguing that the state hasn’t exhausted all methods to procure lethal injection drugs. Executing Sigmon by electrocution, his attorneys wrote, subjects him “to a substantial …

As South Carolina execution looms, firing squad debated
3 years, 7 months ago

As South Carolina execution looms, firing squad debated

Associated Press  

COLUMBIA, S.C. — It’s been more than a decade since Randy Gardner’s brother was the last U.S. inmate executed by firing squad, years the Utah man says have been filled with nightmares about what he describes as his brother’s “gruesome” death. I am brought right back to that terrible day and the searing pain of the weeks, months and years …

Execution date set for inmate suing SC over firing squad law
3 years, 7 months ago

Execution date set for inmate suing SC over firing squad law

Associated Press  

COLUMBIA, S.C. — The South Carolina Supreme Court on Thursday set an execution date for one of two death row prisoners suing the state over a new law forcing inmates to choose between dying by firing squad or electric chair. Sigmon and another man on death row, Freddie Owens, both sued the state earlier this month, arguing that they can’t …

Charleston church shooter making appellate arguments
3 years, 7 months ago

Charleston church shooter making appellate arguments

Associated Press  

COLUMBIA, S.C. — The man on federal death row for the racist slayings of nine members of a Black South Carolina congregation is making his appellate argument that his conviction and death sentence should be overturned. In a lengthy brief, Roof’s attorneys argue that an appellate court should vacate Roof’s convictions and death sentence, or remand his case to court …

Former jailer seeks clemency for one death row inmate
3 years, 7 months ago

Former jailer seeks clemency for one death row inmate

Associated Press  

COLUMBIA, S.C. — If Richard Moore is executed, he will have some say in how he goes — the electric chair or the firing squad. Moore is one of three prisoners on South Carolina’s death row who have run out of appeals in the past six months and could be among the first to face the grim choice under a …

South Carolina House adds firing squad to execution methods
3 years, 8 months ago

South Carolina House adds firing squad to execution methods

Associated Press  

COLUMBIA, S.C. — The South Carolina House voted Wednesday to add a firing squad to the state’s execution methods amid a lack of lethal-injection drugs — a measure meant to jump-start executions in a state that once had one of the busiest death chambers in the nation. “If you push the green button at the end of the day and …

Electrocution, shooting may end S Carolina execution impasse
3 years, 8 months ago

Electrocution, shooting may end S Carolina execution impasse

Associated Press  

COLUMBIA, S.C. — South Carolina House members may soon debate whether to restart the state’s stalled death penalty with the electric chair and whether to add a firing squad to the execution methods. The latest bill heads to the House floor to join another bill that would force death row inmates into the electric chair because South Carolina can no …

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