Additional Coverage:
- ‘Not the worst of the worst’: Richard Moore set for execution in South Carolina on Friday (newsbreak.com)
Last Black Man on South Carolina’s Death Row to Be Executed
Richard Moore, the last Black man on South Carolina’s death row sentenced by an all-white jury, is scheduled for execution on Friday for the 1999 killing of a convenience store clerk. Moore was convicted of fatally shooting James Mahoney after a confrontation escalated.
Moore’s Innocence Claim
Moore’s attorney argues that he was unarmed and not attempting to rob the store when he walked in. They claim that the confrontation occurred after Moore was short on cash and refused to leave. The jury sentenced Moore to death based on the prosecution’s claim that he intended to rob the store.
Calls for Clemency
Moore’s trial judge, two jurors, and the former director of South Carolina’s corrections department are among those who believe Moore deserves clemency. They cite his transformation in prison, where he has become a devoted Christian and renounced his addiction.
Mahoney’s Family
Mahoney’s family has not spoken publicly about Moore’s execution. In the past, they have expressed their grief and loss at the trial.
Execution Details
Moore’s execution is scheduled for 6 p.m. ET Friday.
The U.S. Supreme Court has denied his request for a stay of execution.
The final decision on whether to grant clemency rests with Governor Henry McMaster.