Attorney Chooses Lethal Injection For Death Row Client
Details Surrounding the Decision
An attorney representing a death row inmate in South Carolina, facing the state’s first execution since 2011, has chosen lethal injection as his client’s method of death. The inmate in question, Freddie Owens, has handed over the decision to his attorney, citing religious reasons. According to his attorney, Emily Paavola, Owens’ Muslim faith prevents him from making the choice himself as he views it “akin to suicide,” a sin in his religion.
Owens’ Case
Owens was convicted for the murder of a Greenville convenience store clerk, Irene Graves, in 1997. He committed the crime while robbing the store with an accomplice. At his sentencing in 1999, Owens also admitted to killing his jailhouse cellmate, Christopher Lee. Prosecutors waived charges against Owens for the latter crime, preserving the right to pursue the case after he had exhausted his death sentence appeals concerning the Graves murder.
Choice of Execution Method
Under state law, inmates on death row have the option to choose between lethal injection, firing squad, or the electric chair. Without a specifically chosen method, the default is the electric chair. Owens willingly gave this decision to his attorney, Emily Paavola. Following his wishes not to be electrocuted, Paavola made a decision on his behalf, opting for lethal injection as the method of execution.
Controversy Regarding Lethal Injection
Owens’ attorneys had previously challenged the state’s corrections director Bryan Stirling’s statement attesting to the potency, purity, and stability of South Carolina’s pentobarbital—the sedative used for lethal injections. The lawyers argued they lacked critical information about when the state tested the drugs, their effectiveness, and storage methods. Despite their objections, their request for additional data was denied.
Final Words
In a statement, Paavola expressed, “I have known Mr. Owens for 15 years. Under the circumstances, and in light of the information currently available to me, I made the best decision I felt I could make on his behalf. I sincerely hope that the South Carolina Department of Corrections’ assurances will hold true.”
Owens’ Execution Date
Freddie Owens is scheduled for execution on September 20. His attorneys have already filed two motions to halt his execution, with the latest filed on September 5.
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.
