Marion Bowman Faces Execution, Argues Innocence in Kandee Martin's Murder.

Marion Bowman Jr., convicted for the 2001 murder of 21-year-old Kandee Martin, faces execution by lethal injection in South Carolina on Friday. However, Bowman, now 44, continues to maintain his innocence, admitting to drug dealings with Martin but denying involvement in her tragic death.

"I am so sorry for Kandee and her family, but I did not do it," Bowman wrote in a statement. "Her family has suffered a loss that cannot be undone. They have been through trials and appeals, but they have never heard the truth from me. I know this won’t bring them satisfaction, but this is my truth."

Bowman was convicted of murdering Martin, whose body was discovered on February 17, 2001, after being shot twice and set ablaze in her car. Prosecutors contended that Martin owed Bowman money for crack cocaine, and multiple witnesses claimed they had heard Bowman threaten to kill her. Yet, Bowman has steadfastly denied committing the crime, claiming a cousin who was involved in the drug trade may have played a significant role in her death.

"I regret the role I had in dealing to Kandee and know that her addiction probably led to her death," Bowman admitted. "But I did not do this."

As the date of execution draws near, Bowman’s legal team is calling for intervention. His attorney, Lindsey Vann, argues that Bowman has been denied a fair trial, especially citing racial bias and inadequate legal representation. "Mr. Bowman was denied a fair trial from the very beginning," Vann stated. "The public defender's first words to him were, 'Would you like to plead guilty?'"

Bowman’s case is now in the spotlight as he faces becoming the first inmate executed in the U.S. in 2025, with four others also scheduled for execution by mid-February. His supporters are challenging his execution on the grounds of questionable drug protocols and the legitimacy of his conviction. In an emotional plea, Bowman said, "I just don’t want to be executed or imprisoned for life for a crime that I didn’t commit."

Despite his legal battles, Bowman has found solace in faith and poetry during his time on death row, writing a piece titled "While I Breathe I Hope," which reflects his ongoing fight for justice. "Doors continue to close, slamming with a resounding bang," Bowman wrote. "With my hope gone, do I cease to breathe? I'm still breathing, so this I know. While I breathe, I hope."

Kandee Martin

As South Carolina inches closer to executing Bowman, the debate surrounding his guilt, the fairness of his trial, and the morality of the death penalty intensifies. For Martin’s family, justice for her death remains a priority. "There is absolutely no part of us that believes any of the stories he's saying," said Lisa Martin, Kandee’s sister-in-law. "What was left of Kandee is in a coffin in the ground so how dare he feel sorry for himself."

List of Individuals Executed in South Carolina Since 1976

President Biden has commuted the sentences of the majority of federal death row inmates