South Carolina Inmate Seeks Clemency Decision by Parole Board, Not Governor

Richard Moore, facing execution, argues Governor McMaster's past role as attorney general compromises his impartiality.

Richard Moore, scheduled for execution on November 1, is requesting a federal judge to transfer clemency decision-making from Governor Henry McMaster to a parole board.
Moore's attorneys argue that Governor McMaster's previous position as state attorney general, where he oversaw cases upholding Moore's death sentence, biases his ability to fairly consider clemency.
Moore, convicted of killing a store clerk during a 1999 robbery, must choose his method of execution by October 18 or face electrocution by default.
Moore's case is notable as he was unarmed at the crime scene and is the only Black man on South Carolina's death row convicted by an all-white jury.
Governor McMaster has historically opposed granting clemency, and South Carolina has not seen a governor commute a death sentence in the modern era.