Richard Moore was executed by lethal injection on November 1, 2024, for a murder he committed 25 years ago. The day before his execution, the US Supreme Court denied his request to postpone his fate. He had submitted a claim that his sentence was unjust, and the prosecution purposefully hand-picked an all-white jury for his trial. In addition, he requested clemency from Governor Henry McMaster, which was denied the day he was scheduled for execution. Despite over 20 people, including the judge and jurors from Moore’s original trial, asking the Governor to spare Richard Moore’s life, his execution proceeded.
Death Row Conviction
Richard Moore was convicted of the 1999 fatal shooting of store clerk James Mahoney. Moore allegedly entered the store unarmed. He entered the store to buy a pack of beer. Since he was short on change, he requested to take some from the cup on the counter. However, the clerk refused and asked him to leave. When Moore refused to leave the store, Mahoney pulled a handgun on him, which was immediately apprehended. Mahoney had time to grab another gun and get a shot off at Moore before being fatally shot. Moore fled the scene with over $1,400 in cash and was found shortly after.
Multiple parties believe that Richard Moore’s trial was unjust. He was convicted in 2001 by an all-White jury. He was the last person on death row who did not have any African American jurors at his trial. During Moore’s trial, the defense argued he was acting in self-defense, which is probable, but the jury did not agree. Lyndall Moore, the inmate’s son, told AP, “He’s a human being who made mistakes.” He continued, “And this particular mistake led to the death of another human being. But his sentence is completely disproportionate to the actual crime.”
Pleas for Clemency
Many people pleaded with the governor of South Carolina for Richard Moore to receive clemency. Just before Moore was executed, a group gathered outside the prison gates for a vigil, urging McMaster to grant him clemency. According to The Associated Press, no Governor of South Carolina has shown mercy to any of the 45 inmates who have been executed since 1976. There is no denying that Moore committed a heinous crime. However, he insisted he never intended to rob the store or for anyone to get hurt. The nature of his crime, compared to those such as Susan Smith or Alex Murdaugh, did not warrant a death sentence.
Final Thoughts
Richard Moore is the second person to be executed in the state of South Carolina after a decade-long pause. He sat on death row for over two decades before finally being executed by lethal injection. Moore was executed at the death row unit at Broad River Correctional in Columbia. He chose to die by lethal injection; however, his other options provided by the state were electrocution or firing squad. Moore marks the 45th person on death row to be executed since the death penalty was reinstated. Only 38 of those 45 have been put to death by lethal injection.
There were multiple witnesses to Richard Moore’s execution. Among them was his lawyer, Lindsey Vann, two family members of the victim, and Solicitor Barry Barnette. After he was declared dead, prison spokeswoman Chrysti Shain read his final words to the media witnesses. “To the family of Mr. James Mahoney, I am deeply sorry for the pain and sorrow I caused you all,” he said. “To my children and granddaughters, I love you and 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.”
