Inmate asks to delay execution, says co-defendant who blamed him for killing had secret deal

Associated Press

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — An inmate set to be executed in South Carolina in three weeks wants the state Supreme Court to delay the execution so his lawyers can argue his co-defendant who testified against him lied about having no plea deal in exchange for his testimony. Attorneys for Freddie Owens also say in court papers that a juror saw a electronic stun device Owens had to wear in court to assure good behavior and a judge never talked about why he had to wear it. Lawyers for the state have until Thursday to respond. Owens is scheduled to die Sept. 20 in South Carolina’s first execution since 2011.