As South Carolina prepares for the execution of Freddie Owens, anti-death penalty advocates are appealing to Governor Henry McMaster to intervene. Owens is set to be the first inmate executed in the state in over ten years.
The South Carolina Alliance Against Death Penalty (SCADP) is urging supporters to contact the governor to prevent the execution of Owens, who has since changed his name to Khalil Divine Black Sun Allah after converting to Islam while in prison. He was convicted in 1997 for the robbery and shooting death of store clerk Irene Graves.
On Wednesday, Owens’ legal team presented a signed affidavit from Stephen Golden, a co-defendant in the robbery, who claimed he lied during the trial to avoid facing the death penalty. According to Golden, Owens was not present during the crime, and he fabricated his testimony while under the influence of cocaine, fearing retribution from the actual shooter.
Golden stated, “I thought the real shooter or his associates might kill me if I named him to police. I am still afraid of that. But Freddie was not there… I’m coming forward now because I know Freddie’s execution date is September 20 and I don’t want Freddie to be executed for something he didn’t do. This has weighed heavily on my mind and I want to have a clear conscience.”
The SCADP has responded to this revelation by launching an urgent campaign for public involvement. “This is a crucial moment for justice, and we cannot stand by as the state executes someone—especially someone with a legitimate innocence claim! We will continue to stand alongside Khalil, his family, and his legal team and not stop fighting until this murderous system is dismantled,” the organization stated.
In addition to reaching out to the governor, SCADP has started the #FreddieKhalilOwens hashtag to rally public support.
To honor Owens, three vigils are scheduled for Friday, September 20, 2024:
– Charleston Vigil at North Charleston United Methodist Church at 4:00 PM
– Columbia Vigil at Broad River Correctional Institution at 4:30 PM
– Greenville Vigil at Triune Mercy Center at 5:30 PM
Further updates will be provided as the execution date approaches.