Lawyers for South Carolina death row inmate Freddie Owens contend that state prison officials have not provided sufficient details about the drug slated for his execution, which is scheduled for September 20. Owens' attorneys argue they need the full report from state scientists who tested the sedative pentobarbital, rather than the brief summary provided. The state maintains that a 2023 shield law restricts the release of detailed information about the drug, citing security concerns regarding the compounding pharmacy involved.
The legal battle occurs as South Carolina prepares for its first execution since 2011, amid complications in obtaining lethal injection drugs. Owens' execution has sparked significant debate over the adequacy of information provided to condemned inmates about their method of execution. His attorneys have recently requested a delay of his execution, citing new evidence, including possible juror bias and allegations that Owens' co-defendant, Steven Golden, lied.
As the execution date nears, Owens faces a Friday deadline to choose between lethal injection, electrocution, or the firing squad. His lawyer, Gerald King Jr., insists that Owens cannot make an informed decision without the full drug report, arguing for transparency in the testing procedures and storage conditions of the lethal injection drug. A University of South Carolina pharmacy professor supports this stance, emphasizing that the state's current disclosure is insufficient for determining the drug's stability and potency. (This story was generated by Newser's AI chatbot. Source: the AP)
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