A man who murdered two people in cold blood spoke only one word before he was executed Friday in a South Carolina prison, the first time in 13 years that had happened.
Freddie Owens said goodbye to his attorney and was then strapped to a gurney, where he awaited the lethal injection that would ultimately lead to his death.
Owens remained conscious for another minute, after which his eyes closed, his breathing shortened and his face trembled for another five minutes before he died.
The 46-year-old murdered convenience store clerk Irene Graves during a botched robbery in Greenville in 1997.
During his trial, he murdered fellow inmate Christopher Lee in prison, earning him the death penalty.
Double murderer Freddie Owens died Friday by lethal injection in South Carolina’s first execution in 13 years
Owens’ execution was the first carried out in South Carolina in 13 years, amid a struggle to obtain the drugs needed for lethal injections.
After he said goodbye, his lawyer said “goodbye” and the injection was administered.
Just over 10 minutes later, at 6:55 p.m., a doctor came in and pronounced him dead.
His last meal consisted of two cheeseburgers, fries, a well-cooked ribeye steak, six chicken wings, two strawberry lemonades, and a piece of apple pie.
Owens’ latest attempts to appeal have been repeatedly rejected, including by a federal court on Friday morning.
His execution was thrown into chaos at the last minute after a key witness testified in a sworn statement that he had lied to get him convicted.
Owens killed Greenville convenience store clerk Irene Graves during a botched robbery in 1997, as well as inmate Christopher Lee during his trial for Graves’ murder.
Owens’ execution was the first in South Carolina in 13 years, amid problems obtaining the drugs needed for lethal injections
On Wednesday, his attorneys filed a statement from his co-defendant Steven Golden, stating that Owens was not in the store when Graves was killed.
Golden said he blamed Owens, who was 19 at the time, because he was addicted to cocaine and under pressure from police.
He wrote: ‘I thought the real shooter or his accomplices would kill me if I reported him to the police. I still fear that. But Freddie wasn’t there.’
But despite Golden’s recusal, the South Carolina Supreme Court ruled Thursday that it was not enough to stop the prison authorities from executing Owens.
Prosecutors said several other witnesses testified that Owens was the one who pulled the trigger.
Those witnesses were friends of Owens who said he had bragged to them about killing Graves. His former girlfriend also testified that he had confessed to the murder.
Since the end of accidental executions, the number of death row inmates in South Carolina has decreased.
At the beginning of 2011, the state had 63 convicted individuals. After Owens’ death on Friday, that number has now risen to 31.
About 20 people have been taken off death row and given various prison sentences after successful appeals. Others have died of natural causes.
