South Carolina Supreme Court Suspends Executions for Holiday Season

COLUMBIA, S.C. — South Carolina Supreme Court Pauses Executions for Holiday Season

The South Carolina Supreme Court has decided to temporarily halt executions in the state during the upcoming holiday season. On Thursday, justices issued an order that postpones the signing of any new death warrants until at least January 3, 2025.

Background on South Carolina’s Execution Practices

South Carolina resumed executions earlier this year after a long break of 13 years, primarily caused by difficulties in obtaining lethal injection drugs. Many pharmaceutical companies refused to sell these drugs to the state unless their identities were confidential. A new privacy law now allows the state to keep suppliers’ names secret, enabling prison officials to acquire the necessary drugs.

Impending Executions and Legal Considerations

A short, one-page ruling from the court provided no specific reason for the pause in executions. The justices previously considered issuing a death warrant for Marion Bowman Jr., who was scheduled for execution on December 6, 2024. Should the court issue a warrant on January 3, Bowman’s execution could take place on January 31, 2025.

Bowman would become the third inmate executed since the state resumed the death penalty. The first two executions this year involved Freddie Owens on September 20 and Richard Moore on November 1.

Holiday Break Requested by Inmates’ Legal Teams

Legal representatives for four inmates, all of whom have run out of appeals, requested a break in executions during the holiday period. They expressed concerns that “six consecutive executions with virtually no respite” would heavily impact those involved, especially during a season significant to families. The attorneys urged the court to consider the emotional toll executions could take during this period.

In contrast, attorneys for the state pointed out that the South Carolina prison system has previously conducted executions during the holiday season, including five executions between December 4, 1998, and January 8, 1999.

Legal Framework for Executions in South Carolina

State law mandates that executions must occur on the “fourth Friday after the receipt of such notice,” making the timing of the executions rigorously scheduled. Following the Supreme Court’s decision in August to space the executions five weeks apart, corrections staff and defense lawyers will have ample time to manage the necessary legal preparations and emotions involved in these serious matters.

Heavy concerns about the logistics involved in executing inmates continue to arise, given the complexities of preparing the lethal injection drugs, as well as the operating conditions of alternative execution methods like the electric chair and firing squad. Attorneys are also responsible for working on last-minute appeals that could arise unexpectedly.

Conclusion

The decision to pause executions highlights the delicate balance between legal processes, emotional considerations, and the practices surrounding the death penalty in South Carolina. As the holiday season approaches, both the state and legal representatives must navigate these challenges with careful thought.