As his execution approaches, South Carolina man seeks clemency from the governor

COLUMBIA, S.C. — Richard Moore, who faces execution by lethal injection on Friday in South Carolina for the shooting death of a convenience store clerk back in 1999, is making a final appeal for his life.

Moore’s legal team has sought clemency from Governor Henry McMaster, although historically, no governor in South Carolina has granted clemency in the 44 executions carried out since the reinstatement of the death penalty in 1976. This contrasts with governors in 24 other states who have provided clemency in similar situations.

Two jurors from Moore’s 2001 trial, who gave their verdict for the death penalty, have also written to McMaster, urging him to convert Moore’s sentence to life imprisonment without the possibility of parole. They are supported by a former director of the state prison system, Moore’s original trial judge, his children, several childhood friends, and various pastors.

The group argues that the 59-year-old Moore has transformed significantly during his time in prison, expressing a newfound devotion to God. They highlight his dedication to mentoring fellow inmates, his role in maintaining order within the prison, and his affection for his grandchildren, despite his circumstances. The clemency petition details Moore’s past struggles with addiction, which contributed to the violent incident that resulted in the death of James Mahoney.

Moore’s scheduled execution is set for 6 p.m. at a correctional facility in Columbia. Prior to this, two other execution dates were postponed as the state navigated various challenges, including difficulties in acquiring lethal injection drugs due to companies’ refusal to supply them. This issue was eventually resolved by enacting a secrecy law.

If the execution proceeds as planned, Moore would become the second inmate executed in South Carolina since executions resumed. The state has four more inmates without appeals pending, indicating a potential increase in executions every five weeks until spring. Should Moore be executed, there will remain 30 individuals on death row.

Governor McMaster has stated that he is diligently reviewing all information provided by Moore’s legal representatives, following the traditional practice of announcing his decision just moments before the execution is set to begin.

“Clemency is an act of grace, an act of mercy. There are no clear standards or real laws governing this,” McMaster remarked in a press conference.

In a video accompanying his clemency petition, Moore conveyed his deep remorse over the death of Mahoney, expressing a wish to alter the past and acknowledging the pain his actions caused.

“I took a life. I caused anguish to another family,” Moore said. “I constantly pray for their forgiveness.”

The prosecution team and the relatives of Mahoney have remained silent regarding the upcoming execution, although previously they’ve expressed their desire for justice after enduring deep emotional suffering.

Moore’s attorneys assert that his original legal team inadequately examined the crime scene and did not dispute the prosecutors’ claims that Moore had entered the store primed to commit robbery. They state that the clerk drew a weapon on Moore following a dispute regarding change.

Moore contends that he wrestled the weapon from Mahoney, leading to a tragic sequence of events where he shot and killed the clerk before robbing the store of approximately $1,400. His current legal counsel emphasizes that no other inmate on death row began their actions unarmed and without the intent to kill.

Jon Ozmint, a former prosecutor who served as director of South Carolina’s Department of Corrections from 2003 to 2011, has publicly voiced his support for Moore’s clemency, stating that the circumstances surrounding Moore’s case do not align with those usually deserving of the death penalty.

He compared Moore’s case to others where individuals committed more severe crimes yet did not face capital punishment. Ozmint also highlighted concerns regarding racial equity during Moore’s trial, noting the absence of African Americans on the jury despite a significant Black population in the area.

As a born-again Christian, Moore aims to continue his positive influence on fellow inmates if his sentence were to be commuted to life without parole. Ozmint stated, “He wishes to use the rest of his life to benefit those around him.”

Moore’s children also describe his impactful relationship with them, maintaining engagement despite being incarcerated. Alexandria Moore shared how her father has inspired her life choices and expressed her desire for her daughter to know her grandfather.

“Even though he is not physically present, his influence on my life is profound. I want my daughter to know who he truly is,” she noted.