Freddie Eugene Owens was executed in South Carolina for the shooting death of a convenience store clerk, despite a new sworn statement from a key witness saying Owens was not involved. Owens, 46, was the first inmate to be executed in South Carolina in over a decade. The witness, Steven Golden, who was Owens’ co-defendant, claimed Owens was not present at the scene of the crime. Despite this statement, Owens was denied clemency by Gov. Henry McMaster and his execution proceeded.
Irene Grainger Graves, the victim, was a single mother of three who was shot during a robbery at the convenience store where she worked. Golden signed a statement saying he falsely accused Owens out of fear. Owens’ mother, Dora Mason, pleaded for mercy, while his attorney expressed disappointment with the court’s decision.
Arte Graves, Irene Graves’ son, attended Owens’ execution, seeking closure for his mother’s murder. Owens’ execution was the first of five scheduled in the U.S. within a six-day period. If all proceed, 18 death row inmates will have been executed this year. This includes Texas’s scheduled execution of Travis James Mullis and Missouri’s execution of Marcellus Williams, despite concerns about their guilt.
The execution of death row inmates has sparked debate over the justice system’s fallibility and the irreversible nature of capital punishment. Critics argue that executing individuals based on flawed evidence is morally wrong. Despite public outcry and new evidence, the executions are set to proceed, raising concerns about the efficacy and fairness of the death penalty system in the U.S.
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