Freddie Owens Executed in South Carolina Amid Guilt Questions, Mother’s Plea

South Carolina executed Freddie Eugene Owens on Friday for the shooting death of convenience store clerk Irene Graves, despite his mother’s urgent pleas for reconsideration. She characterized the execution as a “grave injustice,” especially following a recently sworn statement from a key witness that called into question Owens’ involvement in the crime.

Owens, 46, was put to death by lethal injection at the Broad River Correctional Institution in Columbia. His execution marked the first in South Carolina in over a decade and the 14th nationwide this year. It commenced at 6:35 p.m. ET, and he was pronounced dead just 20 minutes later.

A jury had convicted Owens of murdering 41-year-old Graves, a single mother of three. Her son described her in an interview as a dedicated and fun-loving mom, highlighting the tragic loss felt by her family.

“Freddie Owens did not kill Ms. Graves. His death tonight is a tragedy,” asserted his attorney, Gerald “Bo” King. He expressed dismay at the legal proceedings that led to Owens’ execution, emphasizing that it stemmed from a childhood marred by suffering and numerous legal injustices. King condemned what he termed as “hidden deals” and “false evidence” that have led to the execution.

In a surprising turn, Owens’ co-defendant, Steven Golden, submitted a sworn statement on Wednesday declaring that Owens was not at the crime scene and did not shoot Graves. This revelation contradicted Golden’s previous account developed over the decades.

Despite the new evidence, the South Carolina court declined to halt the execution. Governor Henry McMaster also rejected clemency, prompting protestors outside the prison to label him “Henry McMurder.”

Arte Graves, Irene’s son, who watched the execution, expressed a sense of closure now that the process was finalized. However, he also felt that the late statement from Golden was untimely. “If it was true, I feel he should’ve said something earlier. That’s something that person will have to deal with in their conscience,” Arte Graves remarked.

For his last meal, Owens requested two cheeseburgers, a well-done ribeye steak, six chicken wings, French fries, two strawberry sodas, and a slice of apple pie. He chose not to make any final remarks other than to say “Bye” to his attorney.

The crime for which Owens was convicted occurred during a robbery at the store where Graves worked. According to reports, she was shot in the head after telling the men she couldn’t open the store safe. Owens has consistently maintained his innocence, asserting he was in bed at home during the robbery. Golden’s recent statement confirmed this claim, revealing that he had initially implicated Owens out of fear of severe consequences, including the death penalty.

Golden, who had reached a plea agreement with prosecutors, had his murder charge lowered to voluntary manslaughter and was sentenced to 28 years in prison. However, the South Carolina Supreme Court ruled that his new testimony was insufficient to challenge previous confessions made by Owens that were noted in police records.

Owens’ mother, Dora Mason, publicly criticized the decision-making of the court and state officials, who refused to consider the new witness statement. She expressed her belief that they were committing a profound injustice. “Freddie is more than his conviction; he is a human being, a son, a brother, and a friend. He deserves compassion, understanding, and a fair chance at justice,” she stated, urging a reconsideration of the death penalty given the doubts surrounding the case.

State Senator Deon Tedder also expressed concern, having received numerous calls from constituents worried about the implications of executing someone who may be innocent. He emphasized the importance of getting it right when dealing with irreversible actions, rallying for a halt to the execution process.

Following Owens’ execution, the United States is poised for a series of executions in the coming days. Texas and Missouri are set to carry out executions shortly, with Alabama also planning to use nitrogen gas in its method of execution. The overall count of executions in the U.S. could rise to 18 this year, with six more on the schedule.

Source: USA Today