South Carolina executes first inmate in 13 years

 South Carolina inmate Freddie Owens was put to death by lethal injection tn what was the state's first execution in over 13 years, local CBS news reported.

Owens, 46, was pronounced dead at 6:55 p.m EST, the report said.

Owens was convicted of killing a convenience store clerk during a robbery in 1997. Prosecutors at the trial said Owens shot the clerk, whose name was Irene Graves, in the head for opening a safe too slowly. 

He was executed despite his co-defendant signing a sworn statement this week claiming Owens was not present at the time of the robbery and killing.

The South Carolina Supreme Court refused to halt Owens’ execution, saying the claims were inconsistent with testimony made at his trial.