Attorney Chooses Lethal Injection For Death Row Client
Details Surrounding the Decision
An attorney representing a death row inmate in South Carolina, facing the state’s first execution since 2011, has chosen lethal injection as his client’s method of death. The inmate in question, Freddie Owens, has handed over the decision to his attorney, citing religious reasons. According to his attorney, Emily Paavola, Owens’ Muslim faith prevents him from making the choice himself as he views it “akin to suicide,” a sin in his religion.
Owens’ Case
Owens was convicted for the murder of a Greenville convenience store clerk, Irene Graves, in 1997. He committed the crime while robbing the store with an accomplice. At his sentencing in 1999, Owens also admitted to killing his jailhouse cellmate, Christopher Lee. Prosecutors waived charges against Owens for the latter crime, preserving the right to pursue the case after he had exhausted his death sentence appeals concerning the Graves murder.
Choice of Execution Method
Under state law, inmates on death row have the option to choose between lethal injection, firing squad, or the electric chair. Without a specifically chosen method, the default is the electric chair. Owens willingly gave this decision to his attorney, Emily Paavola. Following his wishes not to be electrocuted, Paavola made a decision on his behalf, opting for lethal injection as the method of execution.
Controversy Regarding Lethal Injection
Owens’ attorneys had previously challenged the state’s corrections director Bryan Stirling’s statement attesting to the potency, purity, and stability of South Carolina’s pentobarbital—the sedative used for lethal injections. The lawyers argued they lacked critical information about when the state tested the drugs, their effectiveness, and storage methods. Despite their objections, their request for additional data was denied.
Final Words
In a statement, Paavola expressed, “I have known Mr. Owens for 15 years. Under the circumstances, and in light of the information currently available to me, I made the best decision I felt I could make on his behalf. I sincerely hope that the South Carolina Department of Corrections’ assurances will hold true.”
Owens’ Execution Date
Freddie Owens is scheduled for execution on September 20. His attorneys have already filed two motions to halt his execution, with the latest filed on September 5.
Author: STAFF HERE LEXINGTON WRITER
The LEXINGTON STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERELexington.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Lexington, Fayette County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Woodland Art Fair, Crave Food and Music Festival, and Railbird Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like Commerce Lexington and Blue Grass Community Foundation, plus leading businesses in education, manufacturing, and technology that power the local economy such as University of Kentucky, Toyota Motor Manufacturing, and Lexmark. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREBowlingGreen.com and HERELouisville.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Kentucky's dynamic landscape.
