South-Carolina
Man says he lied when he testified against inmate who is set to be executed
COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — Just days before inmate Freddie Owens is set to die by lethal injection in South Carolina, the friend whose testimony helped send Owens to prison is saying he lied to save himself from the death chamber.
Owens is set to die at 6 p.m. Friday at a Columbia prison for the killing of a Greenville convenience store clerk in 1997.
But Owens’ lawyers on Wednesday filed a sworn statement from his co-defendant Steven Golden late Wednesday to try to stop South Carolina from carrying out its first execution in more than a decade.
Prosecutors reiterated that several other witnesses testified that Owens told them he pulled the trigger. And the state Supreme Court refused to stop Owens’ execution last week after Golden, in a sworn statement, said that he had a secret deal with prosecutors that he never told the jury about.
On Wednesday, Golden signed another sworn statement saying Owens wasn’t at the store when Irene Graves was killed during a robbery.
Instead, he said he blamed Owens because he was high on cocaine and police put pressure on him by claiming they already knew the two were together and that Owens was talking. Golden also said he feared the real killer.
“I thought the real shooter or his associates might kill me if I named him to police. I am still afraid of that. But Freddie was not there,” Golden wrote in his statement, which does not name the other person.
Golden testified at Owens’ trial, saying prosecutors promised to consider his testimony in his favor but he still faced the death penalty or life in prison. He was eventually sentenced to 28 years in prison after pleading guilty to a lesser charge of voluntary manslaughter, according to court records.
“I’m coming forward now because I know Freddie’s execution date is September 20 and I don’t want Freddie to be executed for something he didn’t do. This has weighed heavily on my mind and I want to have a clear conscience,” Golden wrote in his statement.
Prosecutors have said Golden wasn’t the only evidence linking Owens to the crime since other friends testified that they, along with Owens, had planned to rob the store. Those friends said Owens bragged to them about killing Graves. His former girlfriend also testified that he confessed to the killing.
Prosecutors argued last week that Graves’ decision to change his story shouldn’t be enough to stop the execution because Graves has now admitted to lying under oath, thereby showing that he cannot be trusted to tell the truth.
“There is no indication that Golden will testify; there is no reasoning to why Owens would admit the shooting (of) Ms. Graves to officers, his girlfriend, and his mother if he was not the shooter as now claimed,” the state Attorney General’s Office wrote in court papers.
Also on Thursday, a group called South Carolinians for Alternatives to the Death Penalty presented a petition with more than 10,000 signatures to Gov. Henry McMaster’s office asking him to reduce Owens’ sentence to life in prison.
“Justice works for restoration. You cannot restore someone who you kill,” said the group’s executive director, Rev. Hillary Taylor, as she read from one of the comments on the petition.
McMaster, a Republican, has said he will wait to announce his decision on clemency until prison officials call him minutes before the execution begins.
Owens would be the first person executed in South Carolina in 13 years after the state struggled to obtain drugs needed for lethal injections because companies refused to sell them if they could be publicly identified.
The state added a firing squad option and passed a shield law to keep much of the details of executions private. The state Supreme Court then cleared the way for the death chamber to reopen this summer.
Five other inmates are also out of appeals and the state can schedule executions every five weeks.
South-Carolina
South Carolina Lottery Pick 3, Pick 4 results for Nov. 23, 2025
Powerball, Mega Millions jackpots: What to know in case you win
Here’s what to know in case you win the Powerball or Mega Millions jackpot.
Just the FAQs, USA TODAY
The South Carolina Education Lottery offers several draw games for those aiming to win big. Here’s a look at Nov. 23, 2025, results for each game:
Winning Pick 3 Plus FIREBALL numbers from Nov. 23 drawing
Evening: 1-0-2, FB: 9
Check Pick 3 Plus FIREBALL payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Pick 4 Plus FIREBALL numbers from Nov. 23 drawing
Evening: 5-9-8-7, FB: 9
Check Pick 4 Plus FIREBALL payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Cash Pop numbers from Nov. 23 drawing
Evening: 14
Check Cash Pop payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Palmetto Cash 5 numbers from Nov. 23 drawing
12-15-25-36-37
Check Palmetto Cash 5 payouts and previous drawings here.
Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results
Are you a winner? Here’s how to claim your lottery prize
The South Carolina Education Lottery provides multiple ways to claim prizes, depending on the amount won:
For prizes up to $500, you can redeem your winnings directly at any authorized South Carolina Education Lottery retailer. Simply present your signed winning ticket at the retailer for an immediate payout.
Winnings $501 to $100,000, may be redeemed by mailing your signed winning ticket along with a completed claim form and a copy of a government-issued photo ID to the South Carolina Education Lottery Claims Center. For security, keep copies of your documents and use registered mail to ensure the safe arrival of your ticket.
SC Education Lottery
P.O. Box 11039
Columbia, SC 29211-1039
For large winnings above $100,000, claims must be made in person at the South Carolina Education Lottery Headquarters in Columbia. To claim, bring your signed winning ticket, a completed claim form, a government-issued photo ID, and your Social Security card for identity verification. Winners of large prizes may also set up an Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) for convenient direct deposit of winnings.
Columbia Claims Center
1303 Assembly Street
Columbia, SC 29201
Claim Deadline: All prizes must be claimed within 180 days of the draw date for draw games.
For more details and to access the claim form, visit the South Carolina Lottery claim page.
When are the South Carolina Lottery drawings held?
- Powerball: 10:59 p.m. ET on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
- Mega Millions: 11 p.m. ET on Tuesday and Friday.
- Pick 3: Daily at 12:59 p.m. (Midday) and 6:59 p.m. (Evening).
- Pick 4: Daily at 12:59 p.m. (Midday) and 6:59 p.m. (Evening).
- Cash Pop: Daily at 12:59 p.m. (Midday) and 6:59 p.m. (Evening).
- Palmetto Cash 5: 6:59 p.m. ET daily.
This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a South Carolina editor. You can send feedback using this form.
South-Carolina
South Carolina’s win over Coastal was a best-case scenario
On Saturday afternoon, South Carolina defeated Coastal Carolina, 51-7. An optimistic view of things would view the win as a launching pad of sorts for USC ahead of the annual rivalry game against Clemson. Frankly speaking, the strong showing against Coastal was a best-case scenario for the Gamecocks.
Below are four reasons why that is the case.
The Insiders Forum: Discuss South Carolina football!
South Carolina won and won big
In a season that will see the Gamecocks finish with a losing record—and one in which the team had lost five games in a row—a win feels like a big deal. Even though South Carolina was playing a lesser opponent on Saturday, the pessimistic feelings that come with losing had some within the fanbase questioning if Shane Beamer’s team might be shut out of the win column the rest of the way.
Not only did Carolina earn a W against Coastal Carolina, but they won big, just as they should.
The Gamecocks dominated from the jump, getting a 75-yard TD on its first offensive snap and never looking back. Even after that, USC had 500 more yards of offense for the game.
The defense didn’t allow a score, and Coastal’s only points came via a blocked punt. Players like Shawn Murphy and Justin Okoronkwo were excellent, perhaps granting them an increased level of personal confidence.
The efforts on offense and defense should create a little momentum after last week’s letdown against Texas A&M.
South Carolina also executed almost everything that they attempted against the Chanticleers. They put a lot of things on film for Clemson, meaning the Tigers should be extra busy during their film study this week ahead of the Palmetto Bowl.
A lot of Gamecocks saw the field
Saturday was Senior Day for 23 Gamecocks. Sure, players like DQ Smith, Nick Barrett, Bryan Thomas Jr., Rahsul Faison, Oscar Adaway, Monkell Goodwine, JT Geer, William Joyce, and Cole Rasmussen played; they always do. But Senior Day should honor all the seniors, not just the ones who get into the game on most Saturdays.
Because of that, it was really nice for a handful of non-starting seniors to get onto the field at Williams-Brice Stadium. Guys like Luke Doty, Bradley Dunn, Jared Brown, and more played an increased number of snaps. Dunn even scored a touchdown. It’s only right that players like that have one additional chance to see game action after all they’ve poured into the program behind the scenes.
Beyond those veterans, South Carolina football fans got to see some young talent strap up, as well. In some ways, it could be a glimpse at the future in garnet and black.
Quarterbacks Cutter Woods and Air Noland each played in the fourth quarter. Freshman Mike Tyler had his first career catch, and Jordon Gidron was targeted for his first touchdown before a defensive pass interference flag ended that hope. Damarcus Leach, Jaquel Holman, Kelvin Hunter, and Christian Ingram all registered at least one tackle.
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Seemingly no one got hurt
Two key pieces to the 2025 Gamecocks, wide receiver Nyck Harbor and EDGE Dylan Stewart, missed the Coastal game. Head coach Shane Beamer is optimistic that they will be back for the Clemson game next week.
Aside from the two stars in street clothes, Beamer didn’t share any injury updates on Saturday. That should be considered good news. Other than players dealing with known long-term injuries, USC appears pretty healthy heading into its season finale.
In a feel-good moment, offensive lineman Ryan Brubaker got into the game. The big fella has battled injuries throughout his collegiate career, and according to Beamer, there was a question as to whether he would ever play again. He did on Saturday.
Mike Furrey, LaNorris Sellers, and the offense looked good and confident
Interim playcaller Mike Furrey has guided South Carolina to its two best halves of the season; the first two quarters against Texas A&M and Coastal Carolina are the best halves of offensive football for the team all year. Improving from what happened last week, the Gamecocks didn’t fold in the second half, and the offense maintained some success after halftime.
Furrey was creative, both with his formations and with his playcalls. He got the ball to his playmakers in space. He also got a lot of personnel involved, even before the score got out of hand. That led to 579 yards and 51 points. That’s not so bad.
Perhaps as important as Furrey’s role in the offense, quarterback LaNorris Sellers looked good and comfortable. That hasn’t always been the case this fall.
Sellers finished the game with 356 yards of offense and four touchdowns. He completed 80% of his passes and played turnover-free football. In nine drives, he guided the offense to six touchdowns and a field goal. Sellers connected with his younger brother, Jayden, and fellow freshman Donovan Murph on their first collegiate touchdowns, too.
The younger Sellers posted 127 yards receiving, one off the team-high for the season. He and the other receivers appear to have an extra bit of juice in their games, as they play for their position coach as playcaller.
With the offense being South Carolina’s biggest issue most of the season, a showing as good as Saturday’s was much needed.
South-Carolina
U.S. Marshals Service investigation leads to Detroit man’s arrest in South Carolina
A U.S. Marshals Service investigation led to the arrest of a 35-year-old man, wanted by the Oakland County Sheriff’s Office, in South Carolina, law enforcement officials said Thursday.
The Stephens County Sheriff’s Office in Georgia helped with the investigation. Officials there said they were notified by the federal agency last week that a 35-year-old Detroit man wanted on an Oakland County arrest warrant for failing to appear in court on two charges was in Toccoa, Georgia, around 94 miles northeast of Atlanta.
Investigators later learned the man was in Oconee County, South Carolina, officials said. The federal agency, with assistance from law enforcement in Georgia and South Carolina, located and arrested the man on Thursday.
As of Thursday, he remains in the Oconee County Jail and is waiting to be extradited to Michigan, according to officials.
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