Life Sentence Without Possibility of Parole for Longtime Death Row Inmate in South Carolina
COLUMBIA, S.C. – After nearly two decades on South Carolina’s death row, a man who previously faced capital punishment for the murder of two people has now had his sentence overturned and resentenced to life in prison without parole. Quincy Allen, aged 44, had received his original death penalty in 2005 on charges of killing two individuals.
Upon a reevaluation of his case two years ago in 2022 by a federal appeals court, Allen’s death sentence was overturned on the grounds that the presiding judge had failed to adequately take into account certain psychiatric problems from Allen’s past. These issues have been traced back to a childhood of enduring abuse and neglect, starting from being kicked out of his home by his mother since fourth grade to being terrorized by his stepfather who, on one occasion, pointed an empty gun at his head and pulled the trigger.
All Parties Reach an Agreement
At Monday’s hearing, it was agreed by prosecutors not to seek another death penalty and in turn, as part of the agreement, Allen would concur to never appeal. As such, his resentencing to life imprisonment has now officially reduced South Carolina’s death row count to 32 inmates from 63 since 2011.
South Carolina previously carried out an execution a little over a decade ago, but since then the state’s death penalty method has been a subject of dispute and consequently put on hold. The expiration of the state’s supply of lethal injection drugs and the refusal of the providing pharmacy to supply anonymously has led the state to change its method of lethal injection to a single drug practice and even allowed for executions by firing squad or electric chair. Nonetheless, the legality of these proposed methods is currently under review by the South Carolina Supreme Court.
A Chance at Redemption
In Allen’s case, it was reported that after the overturning of his death sentence, the victims’ families reached an agreement to cease with the legal proceedings and have him resentenced to life imprisonment. One victim’s family member, Scott Farewell—whose brother, Jedediah Harr, was killed by Allen as he attempted to protect a pregnant woman—expressed a change in attitude towards Allen; from initially hoping for his execution to eventually finding forgiveness for him after 15 years.
Statements from Both Sides
Despite the victims’ families opting for life imprisonment over capital punishment, many felt that Allen was deserving of the death penalty. Before the resentencing, Allen read out a statement, apologizing for his crimes and acknowledging his need for mental health resources, a subject matter that heavily influenced the outcome of his case. He further revealed the lack of proper guidance and understanding of how to deal with conflicts or handle stressful situations throughout his life due to his difficult upbringing.
Allen’s lawyers had initially pleaded for his life to be spared in light of his severe mental illness, a by-product of his abusive childhood, as mentioned in several psychological evaluations. They referenced instances of Allen’s past that involved threats of suicide and numerous psychiatric hospital visits before the events of his crime.
In spite of the new life sentence verdict, law enforcement officials argued against it, referring to Allen’s inherent potential to kill again. However, a prosecutor agreed that the wishes of the victims’ families should outweigh personal feelings about the sentencing. With the resentencing hearing concluded, Allen looks toward a life sentence of reflection and redemption in prison.
