James Earl Reed - Conviction

Conviction

Reed, who was said to have an IQ of 77 and have a "neurological impairment", represented himself and waived his right to testify during the final part of his trial at Charleston County Circuit Court. But prior to the jury being sent out to consider its verdict, Reed sought to alter his relationship with his standby counsel. He wanted to give a closing statement before his attorney would continue. Reed claimed it was because he was too emotional to cross-examine the victims' family. Over the objections of Reed’s standby counsel, District Court Judge William L. Howard refused to reappoint counsel because Reed had already waived his right to counsel at the opening of the trial making far too late in the proceeding for his attorney to adequately prepare.

The jury took only 30 minutes to find Reed guilty of first degree murder recommending that he should receive the death penalty. Judge Howard concurred sentencing Reed to death for the double killings.

In 2003 Reed ended his right to appeal in at least four different courts. He chose to die by electrocution instead of lethal injection, did not ask for clemency, eat a last meal, or make a final statement.