Freddie Owens, a South Carolina inmate, was put to death after a 13-year hiatus in executions due to issues obtaining lethal injection drugs. Owens was convicted of killing a store clerk during a robbery and also confessed to killing another inmate while on trial. Despite last-ditch appeals and a plea for clemency, Owens was executed by lethal injection.
Owens made no final statement and was strapped to a gurney when the curtain opened to the death chamber. After the drug was administered, Owens said goodbye to his lawyer before losing consciousness and eventually passing away. His last meal included two cheeseburgers, french fries, steak, chicken wings, soda, and a slice of pie.
South Carolina restarted executions with Owens being the first of potentially several in line for the death penalty. Owens was allowed to choose between lethal injection, the firing squad, or the electric chair, and he allowed his lawyer to make the decision.
In his final appeal, Owens’ lawyers argued that the evidence against him was insufficient and that he suffered abuse and brain damage while in juvenile prison. South Carolinians for Alternatives to the Death Penalty held a vigil before his execution.
South Carolina faced challenges in resuming executions, including adding the firing squad as a method and passing a shield law to keep execution details secret. With Owens’ death, the state’s death row population has decreased, with only 31 remaining after 20 individuals were removed or died of natural causes.
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