First Execution in South Carolina Since 2011 Looms Ahead
Greenwood, South Carolina – In a historic and controversial decision, the South Carolina Supreme Court has denied a stay of execution for Freddie Eugene Owens, paving the way for him to become the first person executed in the state since 2011. The ruling, released on Thursday evening, comes after a series of appeals from Owens’ legal team, who argued that the death penalty was unjust in his case. However, the justices were unanimous in their decision, rejecting claims of violations of justice and noting that peculiar circumstances warranting a stay had not been sufficiently demonstrated.
The Backstory
Owens, who is now 46, was sentenced to death for the heinous murder of Irene Graves, a gas station clerk, back in the early hours of November 1, 1997. During a robbery spree carried out with three accomplices, 19-year-old Owens was found guilty of shooting and killing Graves, a mother of three. His conviction, established way back in 1999, has gone through several legal challenges, including resentencing in 2003 and again in 2006.
Owens’ attorneys brought multiple motions forward, arguing that the prosecutor had kept a secret deal with a key witness from the trial and presented claims that a juror had seen Owens in an electric stun belt during the proceedings, potentially compromising the fairness of the trial. Despite these attempts, the justices upheld the original ruling.
Key Arguments and Rulings
The Supreme Court’s decision indicates that Owens’ team did not sufficiently prove that unique circumstances existed that could halt his execution scheduled for September 20. One major point brought forward by his defense was the alleged concealment of a deal between the prosecution and an accomplice, Steven Golden, who testified against Owens. Golden had previously claimed there was no promise made regarding his sentence, but wrote in a later affidavit that he had been told by his attorneys that cooperating would spare him from the death penalty.
Unfortunately for Owens, the justices deemed this argument insufficient, ruling that the evidence was already known and had been introduced too late alongside the notion that the new affidavit did not change the overall case against him.
Proportionality Concerns
The defense team attempted to argue that a death sentence was excessively severe, particularly because the jury’s finding of guilt could rely on participation in the robbery rather than definitively identifying Owens as the shooter. According to his attorneys, if executed, this would be the first instance since South Carolina reinstated the death penalty in 1976 where someone could be put to death without clear evidence of them being the actual killer.
However, the Supreme Court stood firm, stating there was sufficient evidence supporting Owens’ conviction. The court highlighted testimonies from Owens’ ex-girlfriend and accomplices, which included details that linked him to the fatal crime. Additionally, they noted Owens’ disturbing history of violence while incarcerated, including an admission of having killed his cellmate, although he was never prosecuted for that crime.
Next Steps
With the Supreme Court’s latest ruling, Owens’ execution is scheduled for the evening of September 20. His attorneys, citing his conversion to Islam and related beliefs regarding capital punishment, selected lethal injection as the method of execution. This decision comes as emotions run high in the state, with various views on the death penalty being brought to the forefront as Owens’ time runs out.
As this complex case unfolds, it highlights the wider conversation surrounding capital punishment in the U.S. and the moral, legal, and social implications it holds. While the legal avenues seem to be narrowing for Owens, advocates on both sides continue to voice their opinions on the ethics behind this decision that is set to shadow South Carolina in the coming weeks.
