SC Supreme Court to hear motion ahead of first SC execution in more than a decade – WYFF4 Greenville

South Carolina's first execution in more than a decade could face another delay.An attorney for Richard Moore -- an Upstate man sentenced to death for killing a convenience store employee in 1999 -- filed a motion Thursday ahead of Moore's April 29 execution. Moore was sentenced to death in 2001 after he was convicted of murdering 42-year-old James Mahoney, a convenience store employee in Spartanburg County. In the motion, Moore's attorney, in part, calls for a review of the firing squad and its legality.The South Carolina Supreme Court has to take up the motion before Moore's scheduled execution at the end of the month, said Greenville attorney John Reckenbeil."There's no question that they're going to come up with some sort of answer, either to stay pending further deliberations by the Supreme Court or further argument, or the fact if there is going to be a ruling and then ultimately an appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court there could be some sort of issuance of a stay."Last May, the firing squad officially became an option for death penalty executions, joining the electric chair and lethal injection -- which the state hasn't had in years. Lawmakers opted for a firing squad option, in large part, because the state hasn't been able to get lethal injection drugs. Over the weekend, the Roman Catholic Diocese of Charleston called the death penalty modern-day barbarism. The Catholic Church stands firmly in opposition to the Supreme Courts decision and the use of the death penalty in South Carolina. Mr. Moore must choose his means of execution between the firing squad and electric chair. This is modern-day barbarism.The tragedy caused by Mr. Moores actions is not justified by killing another human being. Justice is not restored when another person is killed. Capital punishment, along with abortion and euthanasia, is an attack on the inviolability and fundamental dignity of human life. Respect for life is, and must remain, unconditional. This principle applies to all, even the perpetrators of terrible acts. The Catholic Church will continue to stand for the inherent value of all life. We beseech the state of South Carolina to commute Moores death sentence and conduct a meaningful review of his case. The Church prays for the day when the state reverses its decision to end the cruel and unjust practice of capital punishment.Before the motion, Moore would have had to choose an execution method by Friday.

South Carolina's first execution in more than a decade could face another delay.

An attorney for Richard Moore -- an Upstate man sentenced to death for killing a convenience store employee in 1999 -- filed a motion Thursday ahead of Moore's April 29 execution.

Moore was sentenced to death in 2001 after he was convicted of murdering 42-year-old James Mahoney, a convenience store employee in Spartanburg County.

In the motion, Moore's attorney, in part, calls for a review of the firing squad and its legality.

The South Carolina Supreme Court has to take up the motion before Moore's scheduled execution at the end of the month, said Greenville attorney John Reckenbeil.

"There's no question that they're going to come up with some sort of answer, either to stay pending further deliberations by the Supreme Court or further argument, or the fact if there is going to be a ruling and then ultimately an appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court there could be some sort of issuance of a stay."

Last May, the firing squad officially became an option for death penalty executions, joining the electric chair and lethal injection -- which the state hasn't had in years. Lawmakers opted for a firing squad option, in large part, because the state hasn't been able to get lethal injection drugs.

Over the weekend, the Roman Catholic Diocese of Charleston called the death penalty modern-day barbarism.

The Catholic Church stands firmly in opposition to the Supreme Courts decision and the use of the death penalty in South Carolina. Mr. Moore must choose his means of execution between the firing squad and electric chair. This is modern-day barbarism.

The tragedy caused by Mr. Moores actions is not justified by killing another human being. Justice is not restored when another person is killed. Capital punishment, along with abortion and euthanasia, is an attack on the inviolability and fundamental dignity of human life. Respect for life is, and must remain, unconditional. This principle applies to all, even the perpetrators of terrible acts.

The Catholic Church will continue to stand for the inherent value of all life. We beseech the state of South Carolina to commute Moores death sentence and conduct a meaningful review of his case. The Church prays for the day when the state reverses its decision to end the cruel and unjust practice of capital punishment.

Before the motion, Moore would have had to choose an execution method by Friday.

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SC Supreme Court to hear motion ahead of first SC execution in more than a decade - WYFF4 Greenville