Greenville, South Carolina Executes Freddie Owens Marking State’s First Execution in Thirteen Years

Greenville, South Carolina – Lethal Injection Marks State’s First Execution in Over a Decade

Freddie Owens, a 46-year-old inmate on death row, was executed by lethal injection on Friday, marking South Carolina’s first execution in thirteen years. Owens was sentenced to death in 1999 for the murder of Irene Graves, a convenience store clerk, during a robbery in November 1997.

The Execution Process

Owens was pronounced dead at 6:55 p.m. ET. He made no final statement before his execution, which began shortly before at 6:35 p.m. Two family members of Irene Graves were present and reportedly maintained a focused gaze on Owens throughout the process. Witness accounts from an Associated Press reporter indicated that the family showed no visible animosity but rather a solemn intensity.

Background of the Case

Owens was convicted of armed robbery, murder, and criminal conspiracy after killing Graves, a 41-year-old mother of three, during an overnight shift at the Greenville store where she worked. Upon being sentenced, Owens confessed to killing a fellow inmate while awaiting his own sentencing.

The execution utilized a single drug, pentobarbital, a sedative often used in euthanizing pets. This method became available after Governor Henry McMaster passed a shield statute in 2023. The law protects the identities of those involved in the execution process, which had contributed to nearly a decade of supply issues for lethal injection drugs in the state.

Legal Challenges

In the days leading up to the execution, Owens’ legal team filed motions in an attempt to stop the process, arguing due process violations. His attorneys claimed that South Carolina’s Department of Corrections failed to provide necessary information about the drugs used in the execution and the qualifications of the execution team. However, the South Carolina Supreme Court denied these requests to halt the execution.

Just hours before his execution, Owens’ team appealed to the Supreme Court of the United States, seeking an emergency injunction. This request was also turned down.

Conflicting Testimonies

On Thursday, the South Carolina Supreme Court refused to reconsider its previous decisions, despite a new affidavit from Stephen Golden, Owens’ co-defendant. Golden claimed that Owens was not present during the crime. This claim contradicts Golden’s prior testimony during the 1999 trial and subsequent resentencing. The court emphasized the inconsistency and noted that Owens had previously confessed to multiple individuals about his involvement in the crime.

State of Capital Punishment in South Carolina

Owens is one of 14 people executed in the United States this year, with most being carried out by lethal injection. The execution process itself had faced scrutiny, with critics arguing that the methods employed could amount to cruel and unusual punishment.

In the past, South Carolina offered inmates the choice between execution methods, including lethal injection, the electric chair, and firing squad. Owens opted for lethal injection, following a consultation with his attorney, who described the execution as a tragedy for both Owens and the legal system.

Attorney’s Comments

One of Owens’ attorneys expressed deep disappointment, stating, “Freddie Owens did not kill Ms. Graves.” The statement highlighted the alleged failures and injustices surrounding Owens’ conviction, suggesting that he spent his life in prison for a crime he did not commit. The attorney portrayed Owens’ life as marred by suffering and legal missteps, calling the execution outcome shameful.

Conclusion

As South Carolina resumes executions after a long hiatus, the legal and ethical implications of capital punishment remain deeply contentious. The case of Freddie Owens underscores the complex intertwining of justice, due process, and the execution process in the state.