COLUMBIA, S.C. (WSPA) — A last minute emergency motion was filed in an attempt to stop South Carolina’s first execution in 13 years.
Freddie Owens was convicted of shooting and killing store clerk Irene Graves at Speedway on Laurens Road, after committing a string of robberies at 19 years old on Halloween night in 1997.
Owens was convicted in 1999. In the 24 hour holding period between his guilty verdict and sentencing, he killed his cellmate, who was detained for a traffic charge.
Now, the attorneys for Freddie Owens filed an emergency motion to postpone his execution, after a co-defendant came forward with new information.
In response, the South Carolina Supreme Court has again refused to stop the execution of Owens.
The justices ruled today that a sworn statement from Steven Golden wasn’t enough to stop prison officials from putting Owens to death.
Golden, who was also part of the Speedway robbery with Owens, signed an affidavit saying Owens did not shoot Irene Graves, and he was not even there.
In the statement, Golden said he was high on cocaine and marijuana when he was arrested and questioned by police, and substituted Owens for the person who he claims actually shot Graves, because he was afraid the real killer would target him, and he said he still is.
He said it has all weighed heavily on his mind.
Golden was sentenced to 30 years in prison for his role in the robbery, after testifying against Owens.
Prosecutors said other evidence besides Golden’s testimony, however, link Owens to this crime, like his girlfriend testifying that he confessed to the killing.
It now comes down to whether Governor Henry McMaster downgrades Owens’ sentence to life imprisonment. Owens’ attorney has asked the governor for clemency.
But McMaster said last week that he will not decide that until right before the execution begins, when he is asked by prison officials.
It’s important to note, no governor has granted that request since the death penalty was re-started nearly 50 years ago.
Owens declined the choice between three execution methods, so his attorney chose lethal injection.
