COLUMBIA, S.C. — A man on death row in South Carolina, convicted of murder, is making a critical final appeal to the state Supreme Court. Marion Bowman Jr. argues that his trial lawyer was inadequately prepared and exhibited bias in favor of the victim during the proceedings.
Earlier this year, a court order indicated that Bowman is next in line for execution, with a potential date set as early as January 3, following a pause on executions for the holidays.
Bowman was sentenced to death for the 2001 murder of 21-year-old Kandee Martin, who was shot in the head and found in the trunk of a burned car. His legal team filed an appeal on Tuesday, requesting a halt to the execution until a thorough hearing can be conducted. They criticize Bowman’s trial attorney for showing favoritism towards the white victim while referring to Bowman, a Black man, in a more dehumanizing manner.
Testimony during the trial mainly came from friends and family members of the accused who had received plea deals. Prosecutors presented evidence of a prior sexual relationship between Bowman and Martin, although Bowman was never charged with rape.
The appeal claims that Bowman’s trial attorney suggested a guilty plea, despite Bowman’s insistence on his innocence, arguing that a jury may hold biases against Black defendants. The attorney allegedly stated it would be simpler to avoid a death sentence through a plea deal, reflecting his own prejudices that impaired Bowman’s defense.
Amid reviewing the case in 2014, the attorney reportedly questioned Bowman about his presence in a remote area with a white woman and Black men at the time of the crime, raising concerns about perceived racial biases.
Further complicating the case, prosecutors are accused of withholding crucial information regarding witness credibility, such as their psychological issues and potential confessions related to the case. This evidence may have led jurors to question the reliability of these witnesses.
Bowman, now 44, has spent over two decades on death row and is additionally asking justices to consider his personal development during this time. Supportive statements from former prison workers describe him as a compassionate individual who has contributed positively to the death row community.
Bowman’s execution would mark the third in South Carolina since the introduction of a law ensuring confidentiality surrounding the procurement of lethal injection drugs. Following a hiatus of 13 years in executions, the state has resumed the process, with Bowman scheduled among multiple inmates for potential execution dates as frequently as every five weeks starting in 2025.
