Richard Moore executed in South Carolina despite plea for clemency from judge and jurors who found him guilty | US News

Richard Moore, a death row inmate, was executed in South Carolina after the governor refused to change his sentence to life in prison.

Despite pleas for mercy from three jurors and the judge from his original trial, Moore was put to death for shooting shop assistant James Mahoney in 1999.

Moore, who was unarmed, wrestled a gun from Mahoney and shot him in the chest during a dispute over 12 cents.

After stealing $1,400 from the store, prosecutors claimed Moore intended to rob the shop from the start.

His lawyers sought a sentence change due to his spotless prison record and efforts to mentor other inmates.

They argued that his actions were in self-defense, unlike other death row inmates, and highlighted racial disparities in his case.

Despite pleas from various individuals, including jurors, the judge, and Moore’s family and friends, the governor declined to alter the sentence.

Moore died by lethal injection after choosing his method of execution.

Family members of James Mahoney, as well as a prosecutor from Moore’s case, witnessed the execution.

The execution had been delayed due to issues with obtaining lethal drugs, which were resolved by a secrecy law granting anonymity to suppliers.

This was the second execution in South Carolina since the resumption of the death penalty, following the execution of Khalil Divine Black Sun Allah.

In a video interview as part of his clemency petition, Moore expressed regret over the killing.

He acknowledged his actions and expressed remorse for the impact on the victim’s family.