Richard Moore executed after clemency denied
GREENVILLE, S.C. (FOX Carolina) - Governor Henry McMaster, the last chance for death row inmate Richard Moore’s life to be spared, declined to grant clemency on Friday.
Moore was pronounced dead at 6:24 p.m. after electing to die by lethal injection.
Moore shot 42-year-old James Mahoney at Nikki’s Speedy Mart in Spartanburg County in September 1999. Moore was unarmed when he entered the store, but took one of Mahoney’s guns and killed him.
McMaster said he spoke with Mahoney’s family and reviewed transcripts, briefs and judicial decisions related to Moore’s case before announcing his decision. Two of Mahoney’s family were present for the execution.
Two former jurors on Moore’s trial, the original judge in his case, and the former director of the state prison system petitioned for clemency, saying Moore was reformed and deeply regretted his actions.
Moore’s attorney read his last statement:
“To the family of Mr. James Mahoney, I am deeply sorry for the pain and sorrow I caused you all. To my children and granddaughters, I love you and I am so proud of you. Thank you for the joy you have brought to my life. To all of my friends, family and friends, new and old, thank you for your love and .”
FOX Carolina reporter Brookley Cromer was selected as a media witness to the execution. She said the lethal injection drug was istered at 6:01 p.m. Around 6:02 p.m., Cromer said he took several heavy breaths, like snores, and then was quiet. It appeared Moore stopped breathing at 6:04 p.m. and the doctor legally pronounced him dead at 6:24 p.m.
His last statement was read before media witnesses were brought into the room. Jeffrey Collins of the Associated Press said he has witnessed nine executions and this was the first time the curtain was already open and the final statement was read before media was brought in.
Chrysti Shain, a spokesperson for the Department of Corrections, said there was a miscommunication and “someone jumped the gun.”
Cromer spoke with Moore’s attorney on Thursday, who criticized the “broken system” that put Moore to death.
“It shows that our system is completely arbitrary,” Lindsey Vann, Executive Director for Justice360 said. “There’s no rhyme or reason for who gets the death penalty and who doesn’t. You know, you take a look and you see so many really horrible cases that they never even decide to seek the death penalty. I think of Todd Kohlhepp in Spartanburg, the same county where Richard Moore was from. They never even sought the death penalty in that case, so I do think that it shows that the system is broken.”
Vann cried throughout the execution process. Moore’s spiritual advisor held Vann’s hand.
Justice360 released the following statement after the execution:
“Tonight, the State of South Carolina needlessly took the life of Richard Moore – a loving father and grandfather, a loyal friend, and a devoted follower of Christ. He was not a danger to anyone, and the State eliminated a glowing example of reform and rehabilitation. By killing Richard, the State also created more victims. Richard’s children are now fatherless, and his grandchildren will have to grow up without their “Pa Pa.”
This execution underscores the flaws in South Carolina’s death penalty system. Who is executed versus who is allowed to live out their lives in prison appears to be based on no more than chance, race, or status. It is intolerable that our State metes out the ultimate punishment in such a haphazard way.
Richard’s legal team, and all of Justice 360, will continue to fight for reforms in this system. We hope for peace for Richard’s soul, his children and grandchildren, and the Mahoney family.”
Shain said Moore’s last meal consisted of: a steak cooked medium, fried catfish and shrimp, scalloped potatoes, green peas, broccoli with cheese, sweet potato pie, German chocolate cake and grape juice.
Moore is the second inmate to be put to death in South Carolina after a 13-year moratorium on executions. Freddie Owens died by lethal injection on Sept. 20, nearly three decades after he killed Greenville County convenience store clerk Irene Graves.
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