South Carolina executes Richard Moore despite widely supported request to reduce his sentence to life

COLUMBIA, SC – South Carolina Richard Moore to death by lethal injection Friday for the 1999 murder of a convenience store clerk, despite widespread calls for clemency from parties that included three jurors and the judge in the case, a former prison director, pastors and members of his family.

Moore, 59, was pronounced dead at 6:24 p.m.

Moore was convicted of murdering James Mahoney, a Spartanburg clerk, in September 1999 and sentenced to death two years later. Moore entered the store unarmed, took the victim’s gun when it was pointed at him, and fatally shot him in the chest when the victim shot him in the arm with a second gun.

Moore’s lawyers asked Republican Gov. Henry McMaster to commute his sentence to life without parole because of his spotless prison record and willingness to be a mentor to other inmates. They also said it would be unfair to execute anyone for what could be considered self-defense, and it was unfair that Moore, who was black, was the only inmate on the state’s death row convicted by a jury without any African Americans.

But McMaster refused to grant clemency. In the letter, he did not explain the reason, but said that he had reviewed all the materials presented by Moore’s lawyers and had spoken with the victim’s family.

No South Carolina governor has commuted the death sentence, and the state has now carried out 45 executions since the U.S. Supreme Court allowed states to resume them nearly 50 years ago.

Unlike previous executions, when media witnesses arrived, the curtain on death row was open. Moore’s last words were already read by Lindsey Vann, his lawyer with 10 years of experience.

Moore’s eyes were closed and his head was directed towards the ceiling. A prison official announced that the execution could begin at 6:01 p.m. Over the next minute, Moore took several deep breaths that sounded like snoring. He then took several shallow breaths until about 6:04 a.m., when his breathing stopped. Moore showed no obvious signs of discomfort.

Vann cried as the officer announced the execution could begin. She was clutching a prayer bracelet with a cross. The spiritual guide sat next to her with his hands on his knees, palms up.

Also present were two family members of the victims, as well as defense attorney Barry Barnett, who was on the prosecution team that sentenced Moore. Everyone watched stoically.

Prison spokeswoman Christy Shane then read his final words at a news conference.

“To the family of Mr. James Mahoney, I am deeply sorry for the pain and sadness I have caused you all,” he said. “To my children and granddaughters: I love you and am so proud of you. Thank you for the joy you brought into my life. To all my family and friends, new and old, thank you for your love and support.”

His last meal was medium rare steak, fried catfish and shrimp, scalloped potatoes, green peas, broccoli and cheese, sweet potato pie, German chocolate cake and grape juice.

The three jurors who sentenced Moore to death in 2001, including one who wrote Friday: sent letters ask McMaster to change the sentence to life without parole. They were joined by former state prison director Judge Moore, his son and daughter, a half-dozen childhood friends and several pastors.

They all said Moore, 59, was a changed man who loved God, doted on his new grandchildren as best he could, helped guards keep the peace and mentored other inmates after his drug addiction clouded his judgment and led to a shooting spree in which Mahoney was killed, according to petition for pardon.

“He posed no danger to anyone, and the state has removed a shining example of reform and rehabilitation,” the law firm Justice 360, which represented Moore, said in a statement. “By killing Richard, the state also created more victims. Richard’s children are now left without a father, and his grandchildren will have to grow up without their “Pa-Pa”.

Moore used to have two deadlines have been postponed as the state grappled with problems that led to a 13-year pause in the death penalty, including the refusal of companies to sell lethal injections to the government, an obstacle that was resolved by passing a secrecy law.

Moore is second prisoner executed in South Carolina since executions resumed there. Four more people cannot be appealed, and the state appears poised to execute them in five week intervals through spring. There are currently 30 people on death row.

Before the execution, the governor said he would carefully consider everything Moore’s lawyers sent and, as usual, would wait a few minutes before the execution began to announce his decision after hearing that all appeals had been completed.