South Carolina carried out its first execution in 13 years on Friday, as 46-year old prisoner Freddie Owens was put to death for the 1997 killing of a convenience store clerk. Owens had been on death row for over two decades for the brutal murder.
The execution, which was carried out by lethal injection, marked a significant moment for the state, which had not executed a prisoner since 2011. The decision to move forward with Owens’ execution came after years of legal battles and appeals, with the state Supreme Court ultimately ruling that the execution could proceed.
Owens was convicted of the murder of convenience store clerk Danny Watson, who was shot and killed during a robbery in 1997. The case garnered national attention at the time, and Owens’ trial was highly publicized due to the violent nature of the crime.
Despite Owens’ legal team’s efforts to appeal his death sentence, the state Supreme Court ultimately upheld the decision to execute him. The execution was carried out with Owens’ family present, as well as witnesses to the crime and representatives from the victim’s family.
The execution has reignited the debate over the death penalty in South Carolina, with advocates on both sides of the issue speaking out. While some believe that the death penalty is a necessary form of justice for heinous crimes, others argue that it is an outdated and inhumane practice.
As Owens’ execution marks a turning point for the state, it remains to be seen what impact it will have on the future of the death penalty in South Carolina.
Watch the video by NBC News
Video “South Carolina carries out first execution in 13 years” was uploaded on 09/21/2024 to Youtube Channel NBC News