The witness—who claims he falsely identified Owens as the killer because he feared for his life—said that barring a stay, the condemned man "will die for a crime that he did not commit."
The office of Republican South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson responded to Golden’s affidavit on Thursday, calling his claim “inherently suspect” and stating that he “has now made a sworn statement that is contrary to his multiple other sworn statements over 20 years.”
So your only witness is either lying now, where he has no reason to, or he was lying back in 1997 when it was out of fear for his life and under pressure of the police.
And that’s enough grounds to confidentially procede with killing a man…
I know “beyond a reasonable doubt” is subjective, but there is no world where that’s not “reasonable doubt”.
Playing devil’s advocate, a person could provide false testimony, contrary to earlier truthful testimony, if they feel guilt over causing this person’s execution. In no way saying that is, or is not, the case here.
Regardless, the death penalty is a profound failure. It is more expensive, innocent people can be executed, and studies show that it provides no deterrent to criminals. There is literally no benefit.
So your only witness is either lying now, where he has no reason to, or he was lying back in 1997 when it was out of fear for his life and under pressure of the police.
And that’s enough grounds to confidentially procede with killing a man…
I know “beyond a reasonable doubt” is subjective, but there is no world where that’s not “reasonable doubt”.
Absolutely monstrous behavior.
Playing devil’s advocate, a person could provide false testimony, contrary to earlier truthful testimony, if they feel guilt over causing this person’s execution. In no way saying that is, or is not, the case here.
Regardless, the death penalty is a profound failure. It is more expensive, innocent people can be executed, and studies show that it provides no deterrent to criminals. There is literally no benefit.