Urgent calls for justice ahead of Freddie Owens’ execution

COLUMBIA, S.C. (WACH) — Hours earlier than Freddie Owens is about 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 dying within the state of South Carolina in over a decade.

South Carolinians for Alternate options to the Loss of life Penalty (SCADP) is urging the general public to contact McMaster to stop Owens’ impending dying.

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’ legal professionals launched a signed affidavit from Stephen Golden, a co-defendant within the theft and a pal of Owens, claiming he lied in the course of the trial to keep away from the dying 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 because of being beneath the affect of cocaine and fearing retaliation from the “actual shooter.”

I believed the true 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 enchantment for public motion following Golden’s new revelation.

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

To mobilize public strain 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 Middle
• 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.