South Carolina on Friday executed Richard Moore , 59, for the 1999 fatal shooting of store clerk James Mahoney, despite growing calls for clemency .
Moore was lethally injected with pentobarbital and pronounced dead about 20 minutes later at 6:24pm.
“To the family of Mr. Mahoney, I am deeply sorry for the pain and sorrow I caused you all,” Moore said in a final statement. “To my children and granddaughters, I love you, and I am so proud of you. Thank you for the joy you have brought to my life. To all of my family and friends, new and old, thank you for your love and support.”
The execution marks the second execution in the state since killings resumed in September after a 13-year pause, owing to drug companies refusing to sell lethal injection chemicals to South Carolina.
Moore is also thought to be the only person in state history executed for armed robbery despite not bringing the weapon used onto the scene. The 59-year old, who is Black, was also thought to be the last person to be sentenced to die in South Carolina after having all Black jurors removed from their trial, according to South Carolina’s The State newspaper .