November 2nd 2024.
Richard Moore, a death row inmate, was declared dead at 6:24pm on Friday, after being executed by lethal injection. His final words were revealed shortly after his passing. In his last moments, Moore apologized to the family of his victim, James Mahoney, a convenience store clerk. He also took the opportunity to express his love and pride for his children and granddaughters.
The 59-year-old inmate from South Carolina had been convicted of the murder of Mr. Mahoney in 1999. Before his execution, he was granted a final meal of medium steak, fried catfish and shrimp, scalloped potatoes, green peas, broccoli with cheese, sweet potato pie, German chocolate cake, and grape juice. After the execution, prison spokeswoman Chrysti Shain read Moore's last words at a news conference.
"To the family of Mr. James Mahoney, I am deeply sorry for the pain and sorrow I caused you all," Moore had said. "To my children and granddaughters, I love you and am so proud of you. Thank you for the joy you have brought to my life. To all of my family and friends, new and old, thank you for your love and support."
Moore's daughter, Alexandria, was pictured with him as a baby, and protestors were seen outside the prison before his execution. Following his passing, Director of Communications for the South Carolina Department of Corrections, Chrysti Shain, addressed the media. A vigil was also held outside the prison, with numerous appeals for mercy from parties such as three jurors and the judge from his trial, a former prison director, pastors, and members of his family.
Moore had been on death row since 2001, and his lawyers had asked Republican governor Henry McMaster to reduce his sentence to life without parole. They argued that Moore had a spotless prison record and had even mentored other inmates. They also believed that it was unjust to execute someone for what could be considered self-defense, and pointed out that Moore was the only Black inmate on the state's death row convicted by an all-white jury.
However, Mr. McMaster refused to commute Moore's sentence. In a letter, he did not specify his reasons, but stated that he had reviewed all the submissions from Moore's lawyers and spoken to the victim's family. Unlike previous executions, the curtain to the death chamber was open when media witnesses arrived. Moore had his eyes closed, and his head was pointed towards the ceiling. At 6:01pm, a prison employee announced that the execution could begin.
Moore took several deep breaths that sounded like snores for the next minute, before his breathing became shallow and eventually stopped at 6:04pm. Throughout the process, he showed no obvious signs of discomfort. Lindsey Vann, Moore's lawyer for the past 10 years, cried as the employee announced that the execution could start. She held onto a prayer bracelet with a cross, while a spiritual advisor sat beside her with his hands on his knees.
Two members of the victim's family were also present, along with solicitor Barry Barnette, who was part of the prosecution team that convicted Moore. Three jurors who had condemned Moore to death in 2001, and had asked Mr. McMaster to change his sentence to life without parole, were also in attendance. They were joined by a former state prison director, Moore's trial judge, his son and daughter, a few childhood friends, and several pastors.
According to the clemency petition, they all believed that Moore was a changed man who loved God, cherished his new grandchildren, and had helped maintain peace among inmates. "He was not a danger to anyone, and the state eliminated a glowing example of reform and rehabilitation," said the Justice 360 law firm, which represented Moore, in a statement. "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'."
Moore had previously had two execution dates postponed and is the 45th person to be executed in the state since the US Supreme Court allowed states to resume executions nearly 50 years ago. Four more inmates have exhausted their appeals, and the state plans to put them to death in five-week intervals throughout the spring. Currently, there are 30 people on death row in South Carolina.
On Thursday, before the execution, the governor had stated that he would carefully review all the submissions from Moore's lawyers and announce his decision minutes before the execution. "Clemency is a matter of grace, a matter of mercy. There is no standard. There is no real law on it," Mr. McMaster told reporters.
Prosecutors and Mr. Mahoney's relatives did not make any comments after the execution. In the past, family members had expressed their deep suffering and their desire for justice to be served.
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