An anti-death penalty group is holding a vigil for a Lowcountry man who is scheduled to be put to death by lethal injection at 6 p.m. on Jan. 31. Read More Breaking News
NORTH CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCSC) – An anti-death penalty group is holding a vigil for a Lowcountry man who is scheduled to be put to death by lethal injection at 6 p.m. on Jan. 31.
Marion Bowman has sat on death row for over 20 years for the murder of 21-year-old Kandee Martin in 2001.
The South Carolinians for Alternatives to the Death Penalty holds a vigil in honor of Bowman at Cokesbury United Methodist Church in North Charleston. Their goal is to not only rehumanize Bowman but to also advocate against the death penalty.
Reverend Bryan Pigford, the pastor at Cokesbury United Methodist Church, along with other community members will take this time to pray for Bowman and his family, as well as Martin’s family and the will to change state law of the death penalty.
Pigford, as well as the pastor at North Charleston United Methodist Church, Meredith Dark, said SCADP partnered with other United Methodist churches in the area because this is what their faith and denomination stands for.
“And if we were judged for the worst thing we’ve ever done, where would the world be? You know there wouldn’t be one person left standing,” Dark said.
Dark said unfortunately ending the life of Bowman won’t bring back Martin.
“I imagine Kandee’s family has a fair amount of resentment towards vigils like this one and movements that advocate for saving the life of Mr. Bowman,” she said.
Pigford referred to the Bible for scripture as to why he believes this is what they are called to do as Christians. He said they read in Matthew about caring for the weak ones.
“I, to be honest with you, coming over here I’m like ‘I’m doing this again and I’m tired, and how much do I have left in the tank?’ And we all have to ask ourselves that. We have to find ways to renew and refill ourselves so that we continue to have enough fuel in the tank to come back in the fight,” Pigford said.
He said even though he’s never met Bowman, or anyone on death row, he believes it’s their responsibility to come together to continue to fight for justice, hoping a change will come.
“That being said, I could not look Marion in the eyes and say ‘You know I stood up for the last two, I’m tired this time, I’m going to have to take a break.’ Marion’s life is just as important as Khalil’s and Mr. Moore’s,” Pigford said.
Prior to this vigil, the organization held two other gatherings for Richard Moore and Freddy Owens. Owens changed his name to Khalil Divine Black Sun Allah during his time in prison, but court and prison records continue to refer to him as Owens.
“If I can’t save his life, maybe he’s the last one. Maybe we can finally get folks to say ‘Hey, there is a better way.’”
This is SCADP’s third vigil as Bowman will be the third inmate in South Carolina to be executed since September.
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