Freddie Owens: Witness Recants Testimony Hours Before Execution

Friend and Former Co-Defendant Says He Lied About Owens' Involvement

Owens' Execution Stayed Indefinitely

In a shocking turn of events, just hours before Freddie Owens was scheduled to be executed, a friend and former co-defendant has come forward to recant his testimony, claiming that he lied about Owens' involvement in the crime.

Owens was convicted of capital murder in 1998 for the shooting death of a convenience store clerk during a robbery. The key piece of evidence against him was the testimony of his friend and co-defendant, Jamar Cotton, who claimed that Owens was the one who shot the clerk.

However, in a sworn affidavit filed with the court on Tuesday, Cotton recanted his testimony, saying that he had lied about Owens' involvement in order to protect himself. Cotton claims that Owens was not present at the crime scene and had nothing to do with the murder.

In light of Cotton's recantation, the state has agreed to stay Owens' execution indefinitely. Owens' attorneys are now asking for a new trial, arguing that Cotton's recantation is credible and that Owens is innocent of the crime for which he was convicted.

Owens' Case Raises Questions About Reliability of Witness Testimony

The Owens case has raised serious questions about the reliability of witness testimony, particularly in cases where the witness is a co-defendant. Cotton's recantation is not the first time that a witness has come forward to recant their testimony in a capital murder case.

In 2014, Anthony Ray Hinton was exonerated after spending 30 years on death row for a crime he did not commit. Hinton's conviction was based largely on the testimony of a witness who later recanted.

The Owens and Hinton cases highlight the need for caution when relying on witness testimony, especially in cases where the witness may have a motive to lie.

The Fight for Justice for Freddie Owens Continues

Owens' attorneys are confident that they will be able to prove his innocence at a new trial. They are asking for the public's support in their fight for justice for Owens.

Owens' case is a reminder that the fight for justice is never over. Even when someone has been convicted of a crime, there is always hope that the truth will come to light and that the innocent will be exonerated.