Last words of death row inmate who shot shop worker to death

After a controversial sentence, Richard Moore was executed yesterday (1 November) by lethal injection.

The South Carolina death row inmate was convicted of shooting a shop worker to death.

Over the years there had been calls for a sentence change for the 59-year-old, with two of the jurors who put him there reportedly making a U-turn twist on their decision.

However, Moore was executed last night with his last words revealed.

He was convicted of killing James Mahoney in 1999 with his death sentence coming two years later. Moore was also convicted of armed robbery, despite it being said he was never armed.

Richard Moore was executed by lethal injection (SC Department of Corrections)

Part of the controversy around his sentence to death comes from arguments from his lawyers and family that the black man was the first person in the state in modern times to be convicted by a jury with no African Americans.

Moore's attorney, Lindsey Vann, said: “He’s very remorseful and sorry for the horrible, tragic decisions he made in his life. But he spent the past 20 years really trying to make up for that by loving the people he still has in his life.

“I’m really struck by the image that I’ve had of Richard’s trial where there’s a white prosecutor, white judge, white defence attorneys, an all-white jury and he’s the only person in the room who is African American and he’s being judged by a jury who has no one who looks like him.”

Following his execution on Friday night, prison spokesperson Chrysti Shain read out Moore’s last words at a news conference.

“To the family of Mr. James Mahoney, I am deeply sorry for the pain and sorrow I caused you all,” he said.

There were calls for Moore's sentence to be changed (NBC)

“To my children and granddaughters, I love you and am so proud of you. Thank you for the joy you have brought to my life. To all of my family and friends, new and old, thank you for your love and support.”

Before Moore’s execution by lethal injection, his last meal was a medium steak, fried catfish and shrimp, scalloped potatoes, green peas, cheesy broccoli, sweet potato pie, German chocolate cake and a glass of grape juice.

No governor in South Carolina has ever reduced a death sentence and Republican Gov. Henry McMaster refused to grant clemency in Moore’s case.

He didn’t give a reason why in his letter but said he’d reviewed all items submitted by the lawyers and spoke to Mahoney’s family.