South Carolina carried out the execution of Richard Moore on Friday evening, following the US Supreme Court's decision to decline his request to halt the lethal injection. Moore, a 59-year-old Black inmate, was convicted of killing a convenience store clerk 25 years ago. Despite his plea that prosecutors excluded Black people from the all-White jury, the execution proceeded as scheduled.
Moore's clemency request to Gov. Henry McMaster was also denied, with the governor stating he would not issue a commutation. More than 20 individuals, including jurors and prison officials, had urged McMaster to spare Moore's life.
Moore, the last person on South Carolina's death row convicted by an all-White jury, was put to death for the murder of a convenience store clerk during a robbery. Prosecutors claimed Moore killed the clerk in self-defense after a struggle over a gun.
Despite arguments from Moore's defense attorneys and his son advocating for mercy, the execution proceeded. Moore's final statement expressed remorse to the victim's family and gratitude to his loved ones.
The Supreme Court's denial of Moore's appeal highlighted the challenges faced in cases involving racial bias in jury selection. The state's argument that Moore had previously raised similar claims and lost was a key factor in the decision.
South Carolina's expansion of execution methods to include electrocution and firing squad, in addition to lethal injection, added complexity to Moore's case. The state's access to lethal injection drugs had been a point of contention.
With over 1,600 executions in the US since 1976, the racial disparities in capital punishment remain a significant issue. The execution of Richard Moore underscores the ongoing debate surrounding the death penalty and the need for fair and just legal processes.
