Columbia’s Silence Shattered as South Carolina Executes First Inmate in 13 Years

Columbia’s Silence Shattered: South Carolina Carries Out Its First Execution in 13 Years

The execution room was notable for its silence. On Friday, Freddie Eugene Owens met his end as South Carolina executed its first individual in over a decade. Without family present, Owens, 46, turned his head toward his attorney, Emily Paavola, and appeared to mouth one simple word: “Bye.”

The execution took place at the Broad River State Prison at 6:55 p.m. Owens died at the age of 46, essentially a lifetime after the night that sealed his fate when he was just 19 years old. The process began 19 minutes earlier when a lethal dose of pentobarbital started flowing through his veins.

A Troubled Past, A Quiet End

Owens’ story is one marked by tragedy and violence. He was found guilty of killing Irene Graves, a single mother of three, during an armed robbery in Greenville in 1997. Just hours after his 1999 trial had concluded, Owens also admitted to brutally beating his jail cellmate Christopher Lee to death. Owens was never charged for Lee’s murder, as prosecutors decided to use the confession during his sentencing for killing Graves.

Graves’ eldest son, Arte, witnessed the execution with a calm demeanor, while Paavola stared straight ahead. At 6:35 p.m., the curtain rose to reveal Owens in a green jumpsuit, strapped to a gurney, giving a slight smile as he scanned the room. By 6:54 p.m., a medical official confirmed his death.

Mixed Feelings and Public Protests

Owens’ final moments echoed the complexities of his life. Rev. Hillary Taylor and Rev. Michael Okere led numerous protests outside the prison gates and at various churches, voicing their opposition to the state’s resumption of executions. “Some days, I forgive him. Some days, the hell with him,” said Arte Graves, in an interview earlier this week. “It is what it is. It’ll bring some closure.”

The witness room was filled not just with family and friends but also with a few surprises. Owens’ spiritual advisor and Emily Paavola were among 11 faces he saw before the end. Owens, who had changed his name to Khalil Divine Black Sun Allah after converting to Islam while on death row, left the decision of his execution method to Paavola. He opted for a meal of two cheeseburgers, fries, a well-done ribeye steak, six wings, two strawberry sodas, and a piece of apple pie before his death.

State’s Execution Protocol and Future Plans

In South Carolina, inmates can choose between lethal injection, electrocution, or a firing squad. The court has set a 35-day interval for executions, meaning Owens’ death might be the first of many in the upcoming months. Richard Moore, convicted of killing a convenience store clerk in 1999, is anticipated to receive the next death warrant.

This execution has stirred emotions and controversy throughout South Carolina. Rev. Taylor and other activists highlighted their opposition in protests at the North Charleston United Methodist Church and Columbia’s Washington Street United Methodist Church. These gatherings not only provided spaces for collective mourning but also demonstrated the persistent debate over capital punishment.

As we look ahead, the state’s officials have indicated preparations for more executions, potentially beginning as soon as late September. The process, the complexity of Owens’ story, and the mixed public reaction serve as a reminder of the intense and ongoing debate around the death penalty in South Carolina.

Final Thoughts

As Arte Graves watched the final moments of the man who changed his life forever, the silence in the execution room contrasted starkly with the noise of the past 27 years. The silent nods, the quiet despair, and the cautious relief marked the bittersweet end of a dark chapter in South Carolina’s history.