Letters from South Carolina death row inmate reveal a haunted soul

A deeply troubled inmate from South Carolina, Freddie Eugene Owens, has penned letters while on death row that depict a man wrestling with his past—sometimes issuing chilling threats to those he loves, at other times revealing a vulnerability that likens him to a child. Owens is scheduled to be executed by lethal injection on Friday, making it South Carolina’s first execution in 13 years and the nation’s 14th this year. Additionally, it marks one of five executions scheduled in the U.S. over a six-day period from September 20 to 26.

Owens, 46, was sentenced to death for the murder of Irene Graves, a 41-year-old woman, during a robbery at a convenience store on Halloween night in 1997. At just 19, he has consistently maintained his innocence and has fought tirelessly against his death sentence.

In a letter written in 1998, Owens expressed his anguish over being labeled a “thug,” “killer,” and “robber.” He claimed that these perceptions were erroneous, stating, “I’m as fragile as a child.” He emphasized the humanity behind the crimes, noting, “We have souls and feelings—but most important we are also human.” With the execution date looming, an exploration of who Owens is, the crime that forever changed his life, and his ongoing battle against execution is increasingly urgent.

The tragic events of that fateful Halloween night in 1997 set the stage for Owens’ conviction. Court documents reveal that Owens, alongside Stephen Andra Golden, robbed a convenience store in Greenville, South Carolina. During the robbery, Irene Graves was shot in the head after telling the men that she could not access the store’s safe. Graves, a single mother of three, worked three jobs to support her family.

Surveillance footage did not definitively identify who fired the fatal shot, and Owens has consistently claimed that he was at home during the incident. However, prosecutors presented the surveillance video along with Golden’s testimony, which pointed to Owens as the shooter. Golden reached a plea deal, reducing his murder charge to voluntary manslaughter in exchange for testifying against Owens, avoiding the death penalty himself.

As for Owens, he stated that his wrongful conviction led him to kill his cellmate while awaiting sentencing, claiming, “I really did it because I was wrongly convicted of murder.”

Owens’ background reveals a childhood marred by neglect and abuse. His older sister, Marie Owens, described their father as a violently abusive individual who inflicted severe physical and emotional harm on the entire family. In court filings from 2016, she recounted instances of brutality, stating that he would use anything within reach to harm them. Ultimately, after enduring extreme abuse, the children were removed from their home by state authorities when Owens was just five years old.

Owens’ mother, Dora Diane Mason, recalled the trauma her son endured. She vividly remembers a time when Owens was only one year old and his father lashed out, resulting in severe injuries. The pain stemming from their father’s actions left a lasting impact on Owens, which has been cited multiple times in efforts to reduce his sentence.

Now identifying as Khalil-Divine Black Sun-Allah after converting to Islam in prison, Owens continues to navigate the complexities of his life behind bars.

In his letters, which shed light on his psyche, Owens articulates feelings of despair about his upbringing and the choices he has made. He acknowledged not being born in this way and regretted his life choices, stating, “Living in this world for 19 years has to be the worst mistake I’ve made.” He expresses disdain for societal corruption, lamenting the hatred he perceives around him.

Yet, his writings also reveal darker tendencies. In correspondence with a woman named Aisha, Owens oscillates between professing love and issuing threats upon learning she was pregnant with another man’s child. His messages often reflect volatility, as he warns, “Betrayers will be slayed, then I can come to jail for a reason.” His conflicting emotions are underscored by the heartfelt conclusion of his letter, where he declares, “Love you always. Death will be the only thing to separate us.”

Owens’ attorneys argue that his difficult upbringing should exempt him from the death penalty, highlighting his age at the time of the crime and his history of mental health issues. They assert that his past and mental trauma make the punishment disproportionate. However, the state has dismissed these claims, stating that efforts to delay the execution amount to unwarranted interference with the judicial decision.

As the deadline approached for Owens to choose his method of execution, he professed that his faith forbade him from selecting, leading his attorney to choose lethal injection on his behalf.

Source: USA TODAY