South Carolina Executes First Inmate in Over a Decade
In a ground-breaking move after a 13-year unintentional hiatus, South Carolina has carried out its first execution, marking a controversial restart of capital punishment in the state.
Punishment In the Face of Controversy
On the evening of Friday, 46-year-old Freddie Owens was declared dead, resulting from lethal injection. This came about following an extended break in capital punishment across South Carolina, primarily due to shortages in requisite lethal injection drugs. Owens’ death punishment was the result of his 1997 conviction for the murder of a convenience store clerk during a robbery. During his trial, Owens also confessed to killing a fellow inmate at a county jail, a confession that was subsequently recounted to all jurors in his case and led to the sentencing of his death.
A Chilling End and Last Resort
Owens, whose last meal consisted of two cheeseburgers, well-done ribeye steak, six chicken wings, french fries, two strawberry sodas, and a slice of apple pie, made no final remarks before his death. After the lethal drug administration, Owens bade goodbye to his lawyer, his last expression one of a calm yet eerie smile before succumbing to apparent unconsciousness. Roughly 10 minutes later, a medical professional confirmed his death.
Dire Appeals and Rejection
Despite the urgency of the situation, all of Owens’ successive and desperate appeals were rebuffed, including a last-minute appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court. South Carolina’s governor and the state’s director of corrections argued vehemently against Owens’ petition, stating there was nothing unusual in Owens’ case that warranted the Supreme Court stepping in. Following the execution, Republican Governor Henry McMaster, refused to commute Owens’ death sentence to life imprisonment.
Resumption of Capital Punishment in South Carolina
The execution of Owens may set a precedent for future capital punishment cases in South Carolina. With five other individuals out of normal appeals, the South Carolina Supreme Court is moving forward with the possibility of conducting an execution every five weeks. The state has executed 43 people since the reinstatement of the death penalty in the U.S. in 1976.
Critical Opposition and Where the State Stands
While the state gears up for potential further executions, opposition to the death penalty continues, with rights groups arguing against the severity and supposed inhumanity of capital punishment. South Carolinians for Alternatives to the Death Penalty protested outside the prison prior to Owens’ execution, appealing for a stay of execution. However, with death row population declining over the past decade and no clear alternatives for severe punishment, the state of South Carolina appears firm on its decision to resume the death penalty.
Author: STAFF HERE MYRTLE BEACH
The HERE Myrtle Beach Staff Writers are a collaborative team of journalists, editors, and local contributors passionate about delivering accurate, timely information to the Myrtle Beach community. As part of the HEREcity.com Network, which powers over 100 U.S. city sites including HEREcolumbia.com, our staff draws on collective experience in South Carolina journalism to cover everything from business sales and real estate developments to dining deals and community initiatives. Our Expertise and Background Local Roots in Myrtle Beach Our team includes lifelong Myrtle Beach residents and SC natives with deep knowledge of the area’s history, economy, and culture. We’ve covered key events like the recent developments along the Grand Strand, Myrtle Beach’s tourism and hospitality industry, and growth in local education sectors (e.g., Coastal Carolina University programs). Collective Experience With over 50 combined years in journalism, our staff has backgrounds in print, digital media, and community reporting. We prioritize fact-based stories, drawing from sources like the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce, city government records, and on-the-ground interviews. Commitment to Quality Every article is a group effort, involving research, editing, and verification to ensure reliability. We adhere to journalistic standards, citing credible sources and updating content as new details emerge.
