COLUMBIA, SC – Freddie Owens, a 46-year-old convicted murderer, was executed in South Carolina on Friday, ending a decade-long hiatus in the state’s use of the death penalty. His execution followed years of legal wrangling and challenges in obtaining the necessary drugs for lethal injection.
In 1997, Owens was convicted of murdering Irene Graves, a convenience store clerk in Greenville, during a botched robbery. While awaiting trial, he killed fellow inmate Christopher Lee, a crime he openly admitted to, which led to his death sentence.
During the execution, Owens’ only words were “bye” to his attorney. Strapped onto a gurney with his arms outstretched, he remained conscious for about a minute before his eyes closed. His breathing slowed, and his face twitched for roughly five minutes before he stopped moving entirely. He was declared dead at 6:55 p.m., just over ten minutes after the process began.
Owens had filed numerous appeals, all of which were denied. His last attempt to stay the execution was made in federal court on the morning of his death, and he also sought clemency from the U.S. Supreme Court, both without success. South Carolina’s governor and corrections director urged the high court to dismiss his petition, asserting no extraordinary circumstances in the case.
Just days before the execution, Steven Golden, a key witness, recanted his testimony. Golden, who had struck a secret deal with prosecutors, admitted to lying about Owens’ presence at the crime scene to avoid his own death penalty. Despite this, it wasn’t enough to halt the execution.
Governor Henry McMaster denied Owens’ clemency request after careful review. Owens’ execution marks the first in South Carolina in over ten years, with five other inmates having exhausted their appeals, suggesting more executions may follow soon.
Due to a shortage of lethal injection drugs, the state had considered alternative methods like firing squads. A recently passed shield law allowed the state to keep the drug supplier and much of the execution protocol confidential. Officials stated that the new lethal injection method is consistent with federal standards.
Owens had the option to choose between lethal injection, a firing squad, or an electric chair built in 1912. He was convicted of killing Irene Graves in 1999, with prosecutors arguing he shot her in the head when she couldn’t open the store’s safe. His death sentence was further cemented by his detailed confession of killing inmate Christopher Lee, which he claimed was due to his wrongful conviction for Graves’ murder.
In his final appeal, Owens’ lawyers argued that no scientific evidence linked him to Graves’ murder, relying instead on Golden’s now-recanted testimony. They also emphasized Owens’ age and history of abuse in juvenile detention as mitigating factors.