SC Supreme Court Holds Execution Warrants for Death-Row Inmates
Uncertainty Shrouds Execution Schedules in S.C
South Carolina faces uncertain times as it girds itself for the first execution in over a decade. While more than 30 inmates await their fate on death row, the state Supreme Court’s decision to withhold further execution warrants has cast a cloud of ambiguity over when subsequent executions will take place. Years of legal battles challenging the death penalty and the state’s hardships in procuring lethal-injection drugs have further complicated the issue.
A Pause in Execution Warrants
Among the inmates awaiting execution, five have exhausted their appeals. The state has scheduled the first execution, involving Freddy Eugene Owens convicted of a 1997 homicide, for September 20. However, the state Supreme Court has temporarily halted the issue of further death warrants as it deliberates the necessity of a minimum interval between executions and its appropriate duration.
Death-row inmates have lobbied for an execution schedule spaced at least three months apart, while state officials argue for a period closer to a month. Current state legislation does not prescribe a specific interval between executions, only mandating the execution to take place four Fridays after the state Supreme Court issues the inmate’s death warrant.
State’s Stance on Execution Interval
Addressing the speculation surrounding this topic, Governor Henry McMaster expressed faith in the present legislation, endorsing its unambiguous endorsement of the death penalty and effectively shifting the decision-making onus to the General Assembly.
Situation Unlikely to Impact Freddy Owens’ Execution
Meanwhile, the current debate is unlikely to affect Owens’ death-date. The state Supreme Court issued his execution notice last Friday, following which he now awaits judgement day. Owens’ fate will ultimately rest on Governor’s McMaster’s decision—Invoke clemency and commute Owens’ sentence to life in prison or uphold the death sentence.
Execution Method for Owens
As the execution date approaches, Owens will have to decide between lethal injection, the firing squad, or the electric chair—South Carolina’s default execution method. Notably, this would be the first execution where a firing squad is an option, thanks to an amendment to the state’s execution methods in 2021. It could also be the state’s first lethal injection using a newly acquired drug—pentobarbital, used in other states.
Despite the novelty of these methods, Governor McMaster expressed no reservations about their effectiveness. However, the state Supreme Court is yet to establish a deadline for deciding upon the timeline for future executions or when to resume issuing death warrants.
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.
