COLUMBIA, S.C. — Richard Moore, who is set to be executed on Friday for the 1999 killing of a convenience store clerk, awaits a decision from South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster on a clemency plea that could save his life. Moore, who confessed to killing James Mahoney during a confrontation over a minor purchase, has gained support from former jurors, family members, and a former state prison director, who all argue he should spend his life in prison rather than face execution.

In a series of heartfelt appeals, Moore’s children and grandchildren spoke of the positive role he continues to play from behind bars. His daughter, Alexandria Moore, described her father’s presence in her life as enduring, despite his incarceration. She noted the impact he’s had on her and her child, saying, “Even though my father has been away, that still has not stopped him from making a big impact on my life.”

Governor McMaster, who has yet to grant clemency during his tenure, is weighing a rare decision for South Carolina, where no governor has intervened in a death penalty case since its reintroduction in 1976. The governor stated that he would review all information carefully and issue a decision shortly before the scheduled execution time. Moore, now 59, expressed regret for his actions in a recent interview, saying he prays for forgiveness and wishes he could change the past.

Supporters of clemency, including Moore’s trial judge and former prison director Jon Ozmint, argue that Moore’s case does not meet the “worst of the worst” standard typically associated with capital punishment. They point to other cases in the state, like that of Todd Kohlhepp, who committed multiple murders but received a life sentence. Ozmint and others assert that Moore, who arrived at the store unarmed, acted in the heat of the moment and now demonstrates remorse and positive influence within the prison system.

As the hours wind down, the plea for clemency has become a collective push to offer Moore a life sentence without parole, allowing him to continue mentoring fellow inmates and remain connected to his family. In a video message accompanying his petition, Moore’s supporters stress his transformation, describing him as a man who has become a devoted Christian and a peacemaker in his prison community.