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Stop the Execution of Marion Bowman in South Carolina

January 31, 2025

Marion Bowman is scheduled for execution in South Carolina on January 31, 2025 for his alleged 2002 murder of KanDee Louise Martin. Bowman has always maintained his innocence.

The following is from our allies at South Carolinians for Alteratives to the Death Penalty. Learn more here.

Marion takes responsibility for making immature choices like selling drugs as a teenager, but he has steadfastly maintained his innocence of murder. His conviction was based on unreliable, incentivized testimony, with no forensic evidence connecting him to the crime scene. Studies show that incentivized testimony, where witnesses are rewarded for providing testimony that supports the prosecutors’ theory of the case, increases the risk of wrongful convictions.
Marion’s trial was marred by the deep-seated racism of his own trial attorney, who was more committed to his prejudice than his ethical duty to represent his client effectively. Despite having access to evidence to challenge the State’s case, his trial attorney failed to use it on behalf of Marion. His inaction stemmed from a disbelief in his Black client, rooted in racist stereotypes rather than an objective assessment of the facts.
Marion is not just a number or a statistic; he is a father and a grandfather, a man with strong ties to his family, even as he faces the harsh reality of death row. The outcome in his case will reverberate deeply in the lives of those closest to him, especially his daughter and grandchildren, who will grow up without the man who shaped their early years. For those who know him best, the prospect of his loss is more than just a family tragedy; it would mean the loss of a guiding presence, a source of strength, and a constant reminder of the power of love that transcends even the walls that separate them.
Known for his humor and charisma, Marion has become a beacon of support for his fellow inmates, offering kindness and encouragement in an overwhelmingly harsh and isolating environment. His peers seek him out and respect him for his ability to lift the spirits of those around him, tirelessly caring for others and even helping to bridge the gap between inmates and correctional staff.

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In scheduling executions after more than a decade without one, South Carolina makes itself an outlier in its use of the death penalty. The majority of other states are on a downward trend of executions, and increasingly, states are abolishing the practice altogether, including the southern state of Virginia, which repealed its death penalty law.

Please sign the petition asking Governor Henry McMaster to do everything within his power to stop this execution, including issuing a stay, and seeking a path to clemency in the case.

Petitions will be delivered on your behalf in the days prior to the scheduled execution.

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