COLUMBIA, S.C. — Richard Moore is facing an execution scheduled for November 1, stemming from a 1999 convenience store robbery in Spartanburg County, South Carolina. The incident resulted in the tragic death of a clerk, and Moore’s family and legal team argue that he was convicted by an all-white jury, raising concerns about fairness in his case. They believe that his punishment is excessively harsh considering the circumstances of the crime and his subsequent character development while incarcerated.

During the robbery, Moore, unarmed at the time, struggled with a clerk who aimed a gun at him. In the ensuing chaos, Moore ended up fatally shooting the clerk, James Mahoney, who had disabilities and cared for his family and colleagues. In the years that followed, Moore’s son, Lyndall, has highlighted that he is now the only inmate on South Carolina’s death row convicted by a jury lacking Black representation. “He’s a human being who made mistakes,” Lyndall expressed, urging that Moore’s life sentence is disproportionate to his actions.

The state recently resumed executions after a 13-year hiatus, with Moore’s execution imminent. His lawyers are appealing to the U.S. Supreme Court to stay the execution on the grounds that the lack of Black jurors in a county that was 20% Black, as per the 2000 U.S. Census, raises serious questions about the fairness of the trial.

Additionally, Moore’s supporters advocate for his sentence to be converted to life without the possibility of parole, marking the first such change since the resumption of executions in the United States in 1976. The decision ultimately rests with Governor Henry McMaster, who has previously shown reluctance to grant clemency in death penalty cases. As a former prosecutor, he tends to maintain confidence in jury verdicts.

Moore’s family contends that his actions during his incarceration, including helping fellow inmates and maintaining a clean record, should warrant consideration for clemency. “He’s very remorseful… and has spent the past 20 years trying to make up for the decisions he made,” attorney Lindsey Vann stated. They emphasize the need for compassion in light of the strides Moore has made in prison, contrasting his past with his present actions.

The prosecutors from Moore’s trial, including Trey Gowdy, a former congressman, remain silent on the current developments, with Gowdy asserting that the trial’s details speak for themselves. Back in 1999, he painted a dark picture of Moore’s past criminal activity and pointed out the chilling nature of the crime in his arguments for a death sentence.

Critics of Moore’s trial see it as emblematic of systemic issues associated with the death penalty in South Carolina, noting that it reflects a selective and sometimes politically motivated approach to capital punishment. Vann particularly stressed the problem of the homogenous jury composition, framing it as an injustice given Moore’s race and background.

Lyndall Moore advocates for a deeper understanding of his father’s character, reminding others that Richard is not the menacing figure often depicted. Instead, he described him as “just a regular dude” who has reflected deeply on his past and feels genuine remorse for his actions. He hopes Governor McMaster will take time to engage with Richard’s story beyond a mere review of paperwork.

In a conversation with a local media outlet in 2022, Richard Moore conveyed his sorrow over the tragic loss of Mahoney’s life due to his actions, asserting that he has undergone significant personal growth since that fateful night. “I am not the same person I was then,” he articulated, emphasizing his desire to make amends and share his journey with others.