Urgent calls for justice ahead of Freddie Owens’ execution

COLUMBIA, S.C. (WACH) — Hours earlier than Freddie Owens is ready to be executed by the state of South Carolina, anti-death penalty advocates are urgently calling on Governor Henry McMaster to cease the execution.

Owens would be the first inmate put to demise within the state of South Carolina in over a decade.

South Carolinians for Options to the Demise Penalty (SCADP) is urging the general public to contact McMaster to forestall Owens’ impending demise.

Owens, who modified his title to Khalil Divine Black Solar Allah after changing to Islam in jail, was convicted of capturing retailer clerk Irene Graves throughout a theft in 1997.

On Wednesday, Owens’ attorneys launched a signed affidavit from Stephen Golden, a co-defendant within the theft and a good friend of Owens, claiming he lied throughout the trial to keep away from the demise penalty.

READ MORE |Co-defendant claims SC inmate Freddie Owens is harmless on eve of execution

In his assertion, Golden says that Owens was “not truly there” and that he fabricated his testimony as a consequence of being below the affect of cocaine and fearing retaliation from the “actual shooter.”

I assumed the actual shooter or his associates may kill me if I named him to police. I’m nonetheless afraid of that. However Freddie was not there…

I’m coming ahead now as a result of I do know Freddie’s execution date is September 20 and I don’t need Freddie to be executed for one thing he didn’t do. This has weighed closely on my thoughts and I wish to have a transparent conscience.

SCADP has issued an pressing attraction for public motion following Golden’s new revelation.

“This can be a essential second for justice and we can not stand by because the state executes somebody…particularly someonewith a authentic innocence declare!We’ll proceed to face alongside Khalil, his household, and his authorized staff and never cease combating till this murderous system is dismantled,” a press release from the SCADP learn.

To mobilize public stress on the governor, the advocacy group has launched the #FreddieKhalilOwens hashtag.

Three vigils are additionally deliberate for Friday in remembrance of Owens.

Charleston Vigil:

• Location: North Charleston United Methodist Church
• Date/Time: Friday, September 20, 2024, at 4:00 PM
• Contact: [email protected]

Columbia Vigil:

• Location: Broad River Correctional Establishment
• Date/Time: Friday, September 20, 2024, at 4:30 PM
• Contact: [email protected] (Register for parking particulars)

Greenville Vigil:

• Location: Triune Mercy Heart
• Date/Time: Friday, September 20, 2024, at 5:30 PM
• Contact: [email protected]

WACH Fox Information will proceed to supply updates forward of this historic execution.