Richard Moore, a 59-year-old Black man, is scheduled for execution in South Carolina on Friday, following his conviction by an all-white jury for a killing he maintains was self-defense. Moore’s lethal injection is set for 6:00 pm at a prison in Columbia, unless the governor grants clemency at the last minute.
The case dates back to 1999 when Moore was convicted of killing James Mahoney, a white convenience store clerk, during what prosecutors described as a robbery. Moore’s defense disputes this narrative, claiming he entered the store unarmed and got into a confrontation with Mahoney over a small change shortfall. Mahoney allegedly drew two guns, and Moore, in self-defense, wrestled one away, fatally shooting Mahoney while sustaining an arm injury.
Prosecutors argue that Moore took $1,400 from the store and used it to buy drugs. However, Moore’s lawyers insist the case was unfairly influenced by racial bias, noting that the prosecutor had a history of seeking the death penalty only in cases with white victims and excluded all Black potential jurors.
“No other South Carolina death penalty case has involved an unarmed defendant defending himself against an armed victim,” Moore’s legal team stated, calling his death sentence racially motivated and arguing that he is not among the “worst of the worst” deserving capital punishment.
Despite a plea to the Supreme Court for a stay of execution, Moore’s last hope rests with a clemency petition submitted to Governor Henry McMaster. Supporters like Jon Ozmint, former South Carolina Department of Corrections director, believe Moore, now a changed man, would not have faced the death penalty in most states.
In a statement, Moore expressed deep regret: “I hate that it happened. I wish I could go back and change it. I took someone’s life. I broke the family of the deceased.”
Moore’s case highlights ongoing issues with the death penalty, which has been abolished in 23 states, with six others observing moratoriums. His execution would mark the 21st in the U.S. this year.
