In Columbia, South Carolina, the U.S. Supreme Court has rejected the final appeal of Marion Bowman Jr., a 44-year-old Black man scheduled for execution for the 2001 killing of his friend. Despite maintaining his innocence, Bowman’s execution is set for Friday at 6 p.m. with a single dose of pentobarbital. The evidence against Bowman in his trial was primarily testimonies from friends and family members, many of whom were offered deals in exchange for their statements. Bowman’s final appeal included claims that his trial attorney had racial bias, denying him a vigorous defense. He also raised concerns about the lack of information regarding South Carolina’s lethal injection protocols, especially regarding his obesity. Bowman can still request clemency from the governor, but no previous governor has commuted a death sentence in the state since 1976. The American Civil Liberties Union has sued South Carolina over the lack of transparency in execution information, highlighting the controversial revival of capital punishment in the state.
Note: The image is for illustrative purposes only and is not the original image associated with the presented article. Due to copyright reasons, we are unable to use the original images. However, you can still enjoy the accurate and up-to-date content and information provided.