South Carolina restarts executions after 13 years
NBCSEP 2024
South Carolina Executes First Inmate in 13 Years Despite Claims of Innocence
Above: South Carolinians for Alternatives to the Death Penalty protest to stop the execution of Freddie Owens outside Broad River Correctional Institution on Friday, Sept. 20, 2024. Image copyright: The State/Contributor/Tribune News Service via Getty Images
The Spin
Narrative A
This is not criminal justice, but rather savagery and the unnecessary loss of human life. Aside from the usual criticism of capital punishment, the execution of Allah — or Owens — is all the more shocking because the key witness admitted that his initial testimony was false. It's about time to abolish the death penalty to avoid such miscarriages of justices.
Narrative B
It's only natural that the recanted testimony of Golden caused uproar and shock just days before the execution of Owens. However, a closer look reveals this last-minute affidavit was unreliable, as it contradicts sworn statements he has made over the past decades, as well as those of other witnesses. Owens was a dangerous man and his execution was justified.