South Carolina executes Richard Moore despite broadly supported plea to cut sentence to life

Richard Moore was put to death by lethal injection in South Carolina for the 1999 fatal shooting of a convenience store clerk. Despite appeals for mercy from jurors, the judge, former prison director, pastors, and his family, Gov. Henry McMaster refused to grant clemency. Moore’s lawyers argued for a reduced sentence due to his spotless prison record and self-defense claim. Moore expressed remorse for the killing in a video accompanying his clemency petition. His final meal included steak, catfish, and dessert. Moore’s lawyers also claimed his trial was unfair as there were no African Americans on the jury.