BREAKING NEWS: South Carolina Executes Man Despite New Evidence of Innocence

 

On Friday, South Carolina executed Khalil Divine Black Sun Allah, a 46-year-old man on death row, just days after a key witness recanted his testimony, claiming he had lied during the trial. Allah was pronounced dead at 6:55 PM by lethal injection, making it the first execution in the state in 13 years.

Allah’s lawyers had urgently requested a delay, citing new information suggesting he was wrongfully convicted of the 1997 murder of convenience store cashier Irene Graves. However, the state Supreme Court denied these requests, and the governor announced he would not grant clemency.

During the execution, Allah, who had previously been known as Freddie Owens, was observed on a gurney and appeared to say goodbye to his lawyer. He closed his eyes and took deep breaths before becoming still. He did not make a final statement.

Allah was convicted based primarily on the testimony of Steven Golden, his friend and co-defendant, who admitted to pleading guilty in exchange for a lighter sentence. Golden later signed an affidavit two days before the execution, saying Allah “is not the person who shot Irene Graves” and that he had been pressured to blame him out of fear.

Despite Golden's recantation, the state attorney general dismissed it as untrustworthy, asserting that other evidence indicated Allah's guilt. The U.S. Supreme Court also denied Allah’s final appeal, although Justice Sonia Sotomayor expressed concern about the execution.

Allah’s mother, Dora Mason, condemned the execution as a “grave injustice” and urged people to reflect on the value of human life and the flaws of the justice system. She expressed her love and support for her son, stating, “I will stand by you until the very end.”

Critics of the death penalty, including the Rev. Hillary Taylor, highlighted the issues surrounding Allah's case, noting that the death penalty often targets those least able to defend themselves. As South Carolina plans to resume executions, this case has reignited discussions about the morality and reliability of capital punishment.