First Lethal Injection Execution Opens South Carolina Plan
Sylvester Adams, a 39 year old Rock Hill man on death row for a neighbor’s strangling, will be first in SC to be executed by lethal injection under a June law. He chose a three drug method with final meal chosen within reason. Witnesses include family, media, Adams, and his lawyer.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
South Carolina
Sylvester Adams
Rock Hill
Adams
Bryan Chambers
Corrections Department
John Barkley
E. Boulware
Capital Punishment
David Bruck
Four Executed Since State Restored Death Penalty In 77
South Carolina has executed four inmates since 1977 all by electrocution. Joseph Carl Shaw, James Terry Roach, Ronald R. Woomer, and Donald H. Gaskins were put to death between 1985 and 1991 for murders in Richland, Horry, Florence and other counties. The corrections department notes 245 executions in state history with most inmates male and electrocution the standard method. The record also cites earlier executions including 66-year-old Charlie Smith in 1946 and 14-year-old George Stinney Jr. in 1944.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Columbia
South Carolina
Joseph Carl Shaw
Richland County
James Terry Roach
Shaw
Ronald R. Woomer
Horry County
Della Louise Sellers
Broad River Correctional Institution
Donald H. “Pee Wee" Gaskins
Rudolph
Charlie Smith
Berkeley County
George Stinney Jr
Clarendon County
Adams case raises mental retardation and lethal drug questions
The defense argues state law at trial did not require revealing mental retardation, calling it a crucial mitigating factor. They contend the appeal is a last resort and note no court has ruled on juries learning of a defendant's disabilities. The state rejects that Adams is mildly mentally retarded and asks for a stay denial, while a second bid to block lethal drugs was rejected by a Circuit Court judge.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Adams
John Blume
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S.C
Tyner
Gaskins
Florence
Corrections
Pag Ptt Poul cd
Aiken Regional
Aiken County
American Heart Association
Aiken
BN Ar
Charlie Condon
Court
Bailey's
Vancase Ra
Aen SC
Washington Ebs
Peach Orchard
Aiken Malt
Pfaltzgraff
Revere Cookware
Oneida Crystal Giftware
Berkeley Musicals
Assorieu
Sayie
Dundee Bath Towels
Dan River Bed Ensemble
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