James Earl Reed

James Earl Reed (November 26, 1958 – June 20, 2008) was an American convicted murderer put to death in the state of South Carolina by electrocution in "Old Sparky", the state's electric chair. He remains the most recent person executed in South Carolina via electrocution.

Killings Reed and 28-year-old Laurie Rego dated briefly while they were both in the United States Army. Sometime after Rego tried to end the relationship, Reed pleaded guilty to assault for ramming his car into a man who was trying to help Rego and was sentenced to 37 months in prison. While incarcerated, he wrote numerous threatening letters to Rego.

The jury took only 30 minutes to find Reed guilty of murder recommending that he should be sentenced to death. 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.

Execution Reed's execution was set for 6pm on June 20, 2008, but a series of appeals stopped the execution from occurring until 11:20 p.m., when the curtains were opened so that witnesses could view the execution. Reed was strapped into the chair, with a strap or mask that covered most of his head. Electrodes were connected to his head through a wire that could be seen connecting from the ceiling to a cap on his head and another wire was connected to the calf of his right leg. Reed was not seen to look at anyone and he declined to state any last words. He had earlier also declined to opt for a last meal or any spiritual advisor. After his declination to last words was announced, a leather hood was tied around his head.

Witnesses to the execution included Marsha Lafayette Aleem, the youngest daughter of the couple Reed was convicted of murdering. She was seated in the first of three rows and directly in front of Reed as he sat in the electric chair. She was accompanied by two of her uncles. In the row behind them were a victims' advocate and an investigator. Seated in the third and final row were the three media witnesses invited to the execution. No one from Reed's family chose to attend his execution.