South Carolina executed Khalil Divine Black Sun Allah, formerly known as Freddie Owens, on death row on Friday despite new testimony suggesting he was wrongfully convicted. Allah, who was convicted of the murder of a convenience store cashier in 1997 based on witness testimony, was pronounced dead by lethal injection at 6.55pm. His execution was the first in 13 years in the state and could be followed by more in the coming months.
The key witness for the prosecution, Steven Golden, recanted his testimony just days before the execution, stating that Allah was not the shooter and was not present during the robbery. Golden claimed he was pressured into making false statements and admitted to being high during the initial police questioning. Despite this new evidence, the state supreme court rejected pleas for a delay and the governor declined to grant clemency.
Allah’s lawyers argued that a death sentence was not appropriate for his conviction, as no forensic evidence connected him to the crime and he was found guilty without proof that he pulled the trigger. The return of executions in South Carolina has sparked controversy and criticism, with activists calling attention to flaws in Allah’s case and the injustice of executing individuals who are unable to adequately defend themselves in court.
The victim’s daughter, Ensley Graves-Lee, spoke of the toll it has taken on her family to have the tragedy back in the news and expressed her desire for her mother to be remembered for her dedication to her children and the sacrifices she made for them. Despite the execution, questions remain about the fairness and morality of the capital punishment system and the irreversible nature of taking a human life in the name of justice.
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