South Carolina death row inmate seeks clemency

Richard Moore, 57, was sentenced to death in 1999 for the murder of convenience store clerk James Mahoney

Richard Moore, 57, a South Carolina death row inmate, has asked the governor for clemency. Moore was sentenced to death in 1999 for the murder of convenience store clerk James Mahoney during a robbery.

Moore's attorneys argue that he has a low IQ and was under the influence of drugs and alcohol at the time of the crime. They also say that he has shown remorse for his actions and has been a model prisoner while on death row.

The state of South Carolina has executed three people since 2011. The most recent execution was in 2021.

Clemency is a rare occurrence in South Carolina

Clemency is a rare occurrence in South Carolina. Since 1976, only four death row inmates have been granted clemency in the state.

The South Carolina Supreme Court has ruled that clemency should only be granted in cases where there is "compelling evidence of innocence or mitigating circumstances that outweigh the aggravating circumstances of the crime."

Moore's attorneys argue that his case meets this standard. They say that Moore's low IQ and drug use at the time of the crime are mitigating circumstances that should be considered.

The governor has not yet made a decision on Moore's clemency request. He has 90 days to make a decision.

What is clemency?

Clemency is the power of a government official to reduce or eliminate the punishment of a convicted criminal.

Clemency can be granted in a variety of forms, including pardons, commutations, and reprieves.

A pardon is a complete forgiveness of a crime. A commutation is a reduction of a sentence. A reprieve is a temporary suspension of a sentence.

Clemency is typically granted in cases where there are compelling reasons to do so. These reasons can include:

• The person has a low IQ or was under the influence of drugs or alcohol at the time of the crime.
• The person has shown remorse for their actions and has been a model prisoner.
• There is new evidence that suggests the person is innocent.

What are the chances of Moore's clemency request being granted?

The chances of Moore's clemency request being granted are difficult to predict.

On the one hand, Moore has a number of factors in his favor. He has a low IQ, was under the influence of drugs and alcohol at the time of the crime, and has shown remorse for his actions.

On the other hand, the state of South Carolina has a long history of being tough on crime. The state has executed three people since 2011, and the governor has not granted clemency to any death row inmates since taking office in 2011.

Ultimately, the decision of whether or not to grant Moore clemency is up to the governor.