South Carolina Prepares for First Execution in Over a Decade: Freddie Owens Faces Lethal Injection

Freddie Owens, a South Carolina inmate convicted of the 1997 murder of cashier Irene Graves, is set to be executed on Friday, marking the state's first execution in over a decade. Owens, who has maintained his innocence, faces lethal injection after a series of legal appeals were denied, including a recent affidavit from his co-defendant claiming Owens was not involved in the crime. Governor Henry McMaster's decision on clemency remains pivotal, as no governor in South Carolina has granted clemency since the death penalty was reinstated in 1976. This execution is part of a larger trend in the U.S., with five executions scheduled in different states within a week.