South Carolina’s prisons director, Bryan Stirling, assured on Wednesday that the state is fully prepared for carrying out its first execution in more than 13 years next month. Stirling confirmed that the lethal injection drug is potent, the electric chair was recently tested, and the firing squad has the necessary ammunition and training.
The state Supreme Court instructed Stirling to provide a sworn statement confirming the availability of all three execution methods for Freddie Owens’ scheduled execution on Sept. 20. Owens’ lawyers are set to review the statement, with the option to appeal to higher courts if deemed insufficient.
Owens, who has until Sept. 6 to choose his method of execution, designated his lawyer to make this decision on his behalf. The legality of this arrangement is under review by the state Supreme Court, given that Owens uses an alias for legal proceedings.
Stirling disclosed that the sedative pentobarbital, slated for lethal injections, has been tested and meets potency standards. The state transitioned to pentobarbital after the expiration of previous execution drugs, leading to the halt of executions since 2011.
Details regarding the execution drugs remain undisclosed, in compliance with the state’s shield law protecting drug suppliers’ anonymity. Furthermore, Stirling confirmed that both the electric chair and firing squad are operational, with the latter undergoing training for precise targeting.
Owens, convicted of killing Irene Graves in 1997, faces the death penalty for his crimes. Despite maintaining his innocence, Owens was also implicated in the murder of his cellmate at the Greenville County jail, adding complexity to his case. His final recourse lies in a gubernatorial clemency decision, though historical trends indicate minimal likelihood of a reprieve.
Governor Henry McMaster, adhering to protocol, will withhold his clemency decision until moments before the scheduled execution. McMaster, a former prosecutor, emphasized the importance of upholding legal processes and respecting court verdicts in such cases.
