On December 3, 2021, South Carolina executed Richard Bernard Moore, who was convicted of killing convenience store clerk James Mahoney during a robbery in 1999. The execution took place at the Department of Corrections. The witnesses included two members of Mahoney’s family, Solicitor Barry Barnette, and media representatives. Witnesses described Mahoney’s family and Barnette as stoic during the execution.
Moore’s last meal consisted of steak, fried catfish and shrimp, scalloped potatoes, green peas, broccoli with cheese, sweet potato pie, German chocolate cake, and grape juice. His last statement had already been read before the media witnesses arrived, due to a miscommunication among corrections staff.
Moore’s execution came amid calls for clemency from three jurors, the judge who imposed the death sentence, a former prisons director, and thousands of citizens. Governor Henry McMaster, who was Moore’s last hope for a reprieve, declined to grant clemency after reviewing court decisions, letters in support of Moore, and speaking to Mahoney’s family.
State Senator Josh Kimbrell expressed that he does not oppose the death penalty for extreme and heinous crimes, but felt Moore’s case did not reach that level compared to other notorious murderers who received life sentences. This execution was the second in South Carolina since the state resumed executions in September following a 13-year pause.
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