Richard Moore, a South Carolina man on death row for the 1999 murder of a store clerk, has opted for lethal injection as his method of execution. He was given the choice between lethal injection, firing squad, and electrocution, with electrocution being the default if no decision was made.
Moore’s execution is scheduled for November 1st, pending the outcome of his appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court. If carried out, it will be the second execution in South Carolina in 13 years, following a pause due to the state’s inability to obtain lethal injection drugs.
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The Case of Richard Moore
Moore, a 59-year-old Black man, was convicted of killing James Mahoney during a robbery. He entered the store unarmed but ended up in a shootout with Mahoney after taking one of his guns. Moore’s lawyers argue that he acted in self-defense and that his sentence is disproportionate considering he didn’t initially carry a weapon.
They also point to the lack of Black jurors on his jury and his clean prison record as reasons for clemency. Moore’s son emphasizes his father’s positive influence on his family and fellow inmates.
South Carolina’s Execution Methods
South Carolina recently resumed executions after a new law allowed the state to obtain lethal injection drugs. The state now uses a single-drug protocol with pentobarbital, similar to the federal government’s method.
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The state also offers the option of a firing squad, which has been used only three times in the U.S. in the past 50 years, and electrocution, which hasn’t been used in almost five years.
Clemency and Appeals
Moore’s lawyers are seeking clemency from Governor Henry McMaster, who has the sole power to reduce his sentence to life without parole. However, no South Carolina governor has granted clemency in the modern death penalty era.
Moore’s legal team is also pursuing appeals in federal court, arguing that McMaster’s previous statements against commuting sentences make him biased. However, the judge appears skeptical of their arguments, and McMaster has affirmed his commitment to fulfilling his legal obligations.
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The Future of the Death Penalty in South Carolina
South Carolina’s death row population has decreased significantly in recent years due to successful appeals and natural causes. The state currently has 31 inmates on death row, down from 63 in 2011.
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