South Carolina Executes First Inmate in 13 Years: Freddie Owens
Overview
After 13 years, an execution has taken place in South Carolina. Freddie Owens, who had been convicted of the murder of a convenience store clerk, was executed on Friday, September 20, 2024. He was 46 years old and had been on death row for nearly three decades.
The Execution
The execution was postponed from its initial scheduled time of 6 p.m., as word from the US Supreme Court was awaited. The permission to proceed was given by the warden at 6:35 p.m. Owens was in a green jumpsuit, lying horizontally with a white blanket up to his chest, with an IV inserted into his arm. Minutes before the execution proceeded, the U.S. Supreme Court denied an emergency stay of execution appeal for Owens, and South Carolina’s governor declined to grant any form of clemency.
Owens did not give any final statement. He was reported to maintain eye contact with his defense attorney, appearing relaxed and without pain. His final words were a barely audible “bye” directed to his attorney. By 6:37 p.m., Owens appeared unconscious. He was confirmed dead by 6:55 p.m. An official from the South Carolina Department of Corrections later announced, “The case of South Carolina against Freddie Owens is complete.”
The Crimes
Owens was 19 years old when he committed a string of robberies on Halloween night in 1997. One of the convenience stores he targeted was where Irene Graves worked. An argument erupted due to Graves’ delayed response in opening the safe, resulting in Owens shooting her in the head. He was convicted of Graves’ murder in 1999. Failing to stop at just that, Owens murdered his cellmate, Christopher Bryan Lee, at the Greenville County Detention Center within 24 hours of his guilty verdict.
Repercussions and Legacy
Members of the victims’ families were present at Owens’ execution, maintaining their gaze on him throughout the process. Owens’ co-defendant on the day of the robbery, Steven Golden, recently submitted an affidavit claiming that Owens was not the one who shot and killed Graves in 1997. Golden was high on drugs when he made this statement and the courts rejected his claim due to contradictions with earlier statements and Owens’ own admissions.
Despite Golden’s last-minute claim and objections from Owens’ legal team, the execution proceeded as planned. Gerald “Bo” King, a member of Owens’ legal team, lamented the culprit’s death, emphasizing his client’s troubled youth and maintained his innocence in the death of Ms. Graves.
Owens’ execution marks the end of a decades-long wait for justice for the victims’ families. However, it also raises pertinent questions about the role of last-minute confessions and the flaws of the legal system.
Copyright 2024. All rights reserved.
Author: STAFF HERE CHARLESTON
The HERE Charleston Staff Writers are a collaborative team of journalists, editors, and local contributors passionate about delivering accurate, timely information to the Charleston community. As part of the HEREcity.com Network, which powers over 100 U.S. city sites including HEREcolumbia.com, our staff draws on collective experience in South Carolina journalism to cover everything from business sales and real estate developments to dining deals and community initiatives. Our Expertise and Background: Local Roots in Charleston : Our team includes lifelong Charleston residents and SC natives with deep knowledge of the area’s history, economy, and culture. We’ve covered key events like the recent sale of the historic Crofts Block Building, Charleston's equestrian heritage, and growth in local tech and education sectors (e.g., Charleston Technical College programs). Collective Experience: With over 50 combined years in journalism, our staff has backgrounds in print, digital media, and community reporting. We prioritize fact-based stories, drawing from sources like the Charleston Chamber of Commerce, city government records, and on-the-ground interviews. Commitment to Quality: Every article is a group effort, involving research, editing, and verification to ensure reliability. We adhere to journalistic standards, citing credible sources and updating content as new details emerge.
