Death row inmate’s last words revealed moments after he was executed | American news

The last words of a death row inmate have been revealed shortly after he was executed by lethal injection.

Richard Moore apologized to the family of his victim – supermarket worker James Mahoney – and told his children and granddaughters: ‘I love you and am so proud of you’.

The 59-year-old South Carolina inmate was pronounced dead at 6.24pm local time on Friday in connection with the 1999 murder of Mr Mahoney.

A vigil was held outside the prison ahead of the execution, amid widespread calls for mercy from parties including three jurors and the judge of his trial, a former prison director, pastors and members of his family.

Moore – who had been on death row since being convicted of murder in 2001 – entered the store unarmed, grabbed a gun from Mr Mahoney when it was pointed at him and fatally shot him in the chest while the victim shot him with a second gun shot in the arm.

Moore’s attorneys had asked Republican Gov. Henry McMaster to reduce his sentence to life without parole because of his spotless record and his willingness to mentor other inmates.

They also said it would be unjust to execute someone for what could be considered self-defense, and that it would be unfair that Moore, who was black, was the only state death row inmate tried by a jury without an Afro Americans had been convicted.

But Mr McMaster refused. In a letter, he did not say why, but said he had reviewed everything submitted by Moore’s attorneys and spoken to the victim’s family.

Unlike previous executions, the death chamber curtain was open when media witnesses arrived.

Moore had his eyes closed and his head toward the ceiling. A prison official announced that the execution could begin at 6:01 p.m.

Over the next minute he took a few deep breaths that sounded like snoring.

He then took a few shallow breaths until about 6:04 p.m., when his breathing stopped. Moore showed no obvious signs of discomfort.

Lindsey Vann, his attorney of 10 years of experience, cried as the worker announced the execution could begin. She was holding a prayer bracelet with a cross.

Beside her sat a spiritual advisor, his hands on his knees, palms up. Mrs. Vann held a prayer bracelet with a cross.

Two members of the victims’ family were also present, along with attorney Barry Barnette, who was part of the prosecution team that convicted Moore. They all looked stoic.

Three jurors who sentenced Moore to death in 2001 and who asked Mr. McMaster to commute his sentence to life without parole were also present.

They were accompanied by a former state prison warden, Moore’s judge, his son and daughter, a half-dozen childhood friends and several ministers.

They all said Moore was a changed man who loved God, doted on his new grandchildren, helped guards keep the peace and mentored other inmates, according to the pardon petition.

“He posed a danger to no one, and the state has eliminated a shining example of reform and rehabilitation,” law firm Justice 360, which represented Moore, said in a statement.

‘By killing Richard, the state also created more victims. Richard’s children are now fatherless, and his grandchildren will have to grow up without their ‘Pa Pa.’

Moore previously had two execution dates postponed and it is the 45th execution in the state since the U.S. Supreme Court allowed states to restart executions nearly 50 years ago.