Fred Singleton, the longest-serving death row inmate in South Carolina, passed away this week at the age of 81. He had spent over 40 years on death row for the 1982 rape and murder of Elizabeth Lominick, a local woman whose body was discovered by her relatives. The case against Singleton, who was convicted of the crime and sentenced to death in 1983, was complicated by legal challenges regarding his competency to be executed. In 1993, the state Supreme Court ruled that Singleton was not competent to face the electric chair, as he only answered questions with ‘yes’ or ‘no.’ However, the court also decided that his death sentence should remain in place, with the hope that advancements in psychology might allow him to become more competent in the future.
Singleton’s case is a rare example of a death row inmate who remained in legal limbo for decades. His death brings the number of men remaining on South Carolina’s death row down to 24, following his passing. This development highlights the ongoing debate over the fairness and justice of the death penalty, particularly in light of the state’s recent executions by firing squad. Two such executions have already taken place this year, including the killing of a 67-year-old man convicted of murdering his ex-girlfriend’s parents and a 42-year-old man convicted of the 2004 killing of an off-duty police officer. These events underline the controversial and often contentious nature of the death penalty in South Carolina.
The legal battles surrounding Singleton’s case reflect broader issues in the U.S. criminal justice system, particularly regarding the use of the death penalty and the assessment of a defendant’s competency to face it. His death marks the end of an era in South Carolina’s death row history, but the state continues to grapple with the implications of its capital punishment policies. As the nation continues to debate the future of the death penalty, Singleton’s case remains a poignant reminder of the complexities and human costs involved in the pursuit of justice.