Richard Moore, 59, is fac!ng execut!on for the 1999 m*rder of store clerk James Mahoney, 40, in South Carolina, USA. Prosecutors described Mahoney as a family man coping with disabilities.
Moore’s lawyers argue against his death sentence, noting he, a Black man, was the first in modern South Carolina to be conv!cted by an entirely white jury.
On October 18, Moore must choose his execution method for November 1, selecting from a firing squad, electric chair, or lethal injection. If undecided, state law mandates electrocution by default. This follows South Carolina’s resumption of executions after 13 years with Freddie Owens’ lethal injection last month.
Moore’s son, Lyndall Moore, criticized the sentence, as reported by AP, stating, “He’s a human who made mistakes. This particular mistake resulted in another’s death, but his sentence doesn’t match the crime. He’s not threatening; he’s regretful and has thought deeply about his actions.”
His attorney, Lindsey Vann, added, “He’s remorseful for his tragic decisions and spent 20 years trying to make amends by cherishing those in his life. At his trial, he stood alone as an African American among a white prosecutor, judge, defense attorneys, and jury.”
Conversely, Spartanburg County Solicitor Trey Gowdy remarked, “A 40-year-old man’s hopes ended, stained with the blood of a career criminal. The time for mercy has passed.” Speaking in 2022, Moore told The Post and Courier, “I am not the same person I was when I took Mr. Mahoney’s life. I have grown and have a story to tell.”