Owens is set to be executed by lethal injection in the state's first execution in 13 years. This despite a key witness who testified against Owens now proclaiming his innocence.

South Carolina death row inmate Freddie Owens will die as scheduled on Friday despite the introduction of an affidavit by his co-defendant proclaiming Owens' innocence, the state's high court has ruled.

Attorneys for Owens had filed an emergency motion with South Carolina's high court to reconsider stopping his death based on an affidavit filed by Owens' co-defendant, Steven Golden, stating that Owens did not shoot Graves during the robbery at the Speedway convenience store.