James Earl Reed

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Not to be confused with James Earl Reid.
James Earl Reed
Born(1958-11-26)November 26, 1958
Executed
Conviction(s)Murder (2 counts)
Criminal penaltyDeath

James Earl Reed (November 26, 1958 – June 20, 2008)[2] was an American convicted murderer put to death in the state of South Carolina by electrocution in "Old Sparky", the state's electric chair.[3] He is currently the last person executed in South Carolina via electrocution.[4]

Killings

Reed and 28-year-old Laurie Rego dated briefly while they were both in the United States Army. Sometime after Rego tried to end the relationship, Reed pleaded guilty to assault and was sentenced to 37 months in prison. While incarcerated, he wrote numerous threatening letters to Rego.[2]

In May 1994, Reed was released from prison. Shortly afterwards he bought a gun and hitchhiked to the home of Rego's parents, Joseph and Barbara Ann Lafayette, who lived in Adams Run, South Carolina, looking for her. Reed shot the couple five times before fleeing the scene. Although no physical evidence linked Reed to the murder scene, he was arrested and questioned by police. He then cooperated with police in an attempt to locate the murder weapon and spent casings, however they were never recovered.[2]

Conviction

Reed, who was said to have an

IQ of 77 and have a "neurological impairment", represented himself and waived his right to testify during the final part of his trial at Charleston County Circuit Court. Prior to the jury being sent out to consider its verdict, Reed sought to alter his relationship with his standby counsel. He wanted to give a closing statement before his attorney would continue. Reed claimed it was because he was too emotional to cross-examine the victims' family. Over the objections of Reed’s standby counsel, District Court Judge William L. Howard refused to reappoint counsel because Reed had already waived his right to counsel at the opening of the trial, making it far too late into the proceeding for his attorney to adequately prepare.[5]

The jury took only 30 minutes to find Reed guilty of murder recommending that he should be sentenced to death.[6] Judge Howard concurred, sentencing Reed to death for the double killings.[7] In 2003, Reed ended his right to appeal in at least four different courts. He chose to die by electrocution instead of lethal injection,[8] did not ask for clemency, eat a last meal, or make a final statement.[9]

Execution

Reed's execution was set for 6pm on June 20, 2008, but a series of appeals stopped the execution from occurring until 11:20 p.m., when the curtains were opened so that witnesses could view the execution. Reed was strapped into the chair, with a strap or mask that covered most of his head. Electrodes were connected to his head through a wire that could be seen connecting from the ceiling to a cap on his head and another wire was connected to the calf of his right leg. Reed was not seen to look at anyone and he declined to state any last words. He had earlier also declined to opt for a last meal or any spiritual advisor. After his declination to last words was announced, a leather hood was tied around his head.[2]

When the switch was thrown, witnesses heard a noise similar to the sound made by the key ring clip lock on a gas station pump handle when the tank is "full". The sound indicated that the circuit of the electric chair had been completed and current was now passing into Reed's body. Reed jerked forward, but other than that there was no significant movement. The electrodes were disconnected at 11:25 p.m. and he was pronounced dead at 11:27 p.m.[10][11]

Witnesses to the execution included Marsha Lafayette Aleem, the youngest daughter of the couple Reed was convicted of murdering. She was seated in the first of three rows and directly in front of Reed as he sat in the electric chair. She was accompanied by two of her uncles. In the row behind them were a victims' advocate and an investigator. Seated in the third and final row were the three media witnesses invited to the execution. No one from Reed's family chose to attend his execution.[12]

See also

References

  1. ^ "South Carolina Department of Corrections" (PDF). doc.sc.gov. Archived from the original (PDF) on May 17, 2008. Retrieved November 21, 2020.
  2. ^ a b c d "James Earl Reed #1107". Clark County Prosecutor. Retrieved January 2, 2009.
  3. ^ "National Briefing | South; South Carolina: Man Is Executed". The New York Times. June 21, 2008. Retrieved May 28, 2021.
  4. ^ Bohatch, Emily (May 27, 2021). "SC scheduled to hold first execution since 2011 with only electric chair available". The State. Retrieved May 28, 2021.
  5. ISBN 978-0-9725141-8-7
    . Retrieved July 14, 2009.
  6. ^ "Reed v. Ozmint, 647 S.E.2d 209 (S.C. 2007)". South Carolina Supreme Court. Free Law Project. July 27, 1998. Retrieved July 14, 2009.
  7. ^ "State v. Reed, 503 S.E.2d 747 (S.C. 1998)". South Carolina Supreme Court. Free Law Project. June 18, 2007. Retrieved July 14, 2009.
  8. ^ Kinnard, Meg (June 11, 2008). "Convict in 1994 killings picks electric chair over injection". The Charlotte Observer. Retrieved May 28, 2021.
  9. ^ Coley, Jill (June 20, 2008). "Reed executed in electric chair". The Post and Courier. Retrieved May 28, 2021.
  10. ^ Coley, Jill (June 22, 2008). "Reporter recounts Reed's last breaths". The Post and Courier. Archived from the original on October 17, 2008. Retrieved January 2, 2009.
  11. ^ "South Carolina executes man in electric chair". Reuters. June 21, 2008. Retrieved May 28, 2021.
  12. ^ Coley, Jill (June 21, 2008). "Couple's still-grieving children break silence". The Post and Courier. Retrieved May 28, 2021.
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