South Carolina executes first man in 13 years despite new evidence of innocence
www.theguardian.com
Khalil Divine Black Sun Allah, 46, killed by lethal injection days after state’s key witness recanted critical testimony

Khalil Divine Black Sun Allah, 46, appeals for clemency from governor as co-defendant says he lied at trial

  • dohpaz42@lemmy.worldEnglish
    28·
    2 months ago

    Prosecutors had no forensic evidence connecting Allah to the shooting. Surveillance footage at the store showed two masked men with guns, but they were not identifiable.

    The state’s case rested on testimony from Allah’s friend and co-defendant, Steven Golden, who was also charged in the robbery and murder. As their joint trial was beginning, Golden pleaded guilty to murder, armed robbery and criminal conspiracy and agreed to testify against Allah. Golden, who was 18 at the time of the robbery, said Allah shot Graves.

    But on Wednesday, two days before the scheduled execution, Golden signed a bombshell affidavit recanting his testimony, saying Allah “is not the person who shot Irene Graves” and “was not present” during the robbery. Golden’s declaration said he was high when police questioned him days after the robbery, and that he was pressured into writing a statement blaming Allah.

  • P03 Locke@lemmy.dbzer0.comEnglish
    14·
    2 months ago

    And this is why the death penalty is bullshit. Even a 5% rate of innocents put to death is still too fucking high.