The U.S. is set to witness its first execution of 2025 as South Carolina prepares to execute Marion Bowman Jr. for the 2001 murder of 21-year-old Kandee Martin. However, Bowman claims he is innocent, stating that while he did sell drugs to Martin, he did not kill her. As the execution date draws near, Martin’s family hopes to find closure, but controversy over Bowman’s conviction continues to raise questions.
Who Was Kandee Martin? A Small-Town Girl with Big Dreams
Kandee Martin grew up in Branchville, South Carolina, a small rural town with limited opportunities. The daughter of a rebar contractor and a stay-at-home mother, Kandee dreamed of moving to Charleston and building a better life. Her life took a new turn when she became a mother to a baby boy at a young age, a role she fully embraced with joy.
Despite her ambitions, her journey was tragically cut short. On February 16, 2001, police found her bullet-ridden body in the trunk of her burning car. Kandee had been shot twice—once in the chest and once in the head. Her murder left a deep scar on her family, who continue to mourn her loss.
The Murder Case and Bowman’s Conviction
Bowman was convicted of Martin’s murder after witnesses testified that he had threatened to kill her over an unpaid drug debt. Prosecutors argued that Martin owed him money for crack cocaine, and the day she was killed, Bowman allegedly sold her drugs multiple times, even allowing her to buy on credit.
Police records show that after a sexual encounter between the two, Martin drove off in her car with Bowman’s cousin, who later became the key witness in Bowman’s trial. The cousin testified against Bowman as part of a plea deal that reduced his own sentence. Bowman, however, claims this testimony was false and that the jury never heard key evidence pointing to his cousin’s guilt.
Bowman’s Side of the Story
Bowman admits to dealing drugs but denies any involvement in the murder. He claims his cousin confessed to the killing while in jail, but this confession was ignored by prosecutors. “I regret the role I had in dealing to Kandee,” Bowman wrote in a statement, “but I did not kill her.”
His legal team also points out inconsistencies in the case and argues that evidence implicating other suspects was not thoroughly investigated. Bowman maintains that he is being wrongfully executed for a crime he did not commit.
The Family’s Perspective
Kandee Martin’s family has a different view. Her sister-in-law, Lisa Martin, expressed the family’s desire for closure. “He’s had 24 years to tie up loose ends,” she said. “We never got that opportunity. Kandee didn’t get a second chance at life.”
The family remains convinced of Bowman’s guilt and believes his execution is justice for the brutal murder that devastated their lives.
Bowman’s Final Days: Faith and Family
Since his conviction, Bowman has spent nearly two decades in prison, during which he claims to have matured and found faith in God. His attorney, Lindsey Vann, says Bowman has become a writer and even penned a poem titled “While I Breathe I Hope.”
Despite being incarcerated, Bowman remains close to his family. He became a grandfather while in prison and maintains contact with his children and grandchildren.
Controversy Over Execution Method
Bowman’s execution is scheduled for January 31 at 6 p.m. at the Broad River Correctional Institution in Columbia, South Carolina. He will be executed by lethal injection using pentobarbital, a method that has sparked legal debates.
Bowman’s lawyers argue that the state has not provided adequate information about the drug’s quality, expiration date, or storage conditions. They also highlight issues from a previous execution in South Carolina, where a second dose of the drug had to be administered after delays.
The state, however, argues that Bowman had the option to choose between lethal injection, a firing squad, or the electric chair. Bowman chose lethal injection, calling the other methods “barbaric and unconstitutional.”
Marion Bowman Jr.’s execution highlights the complex and emotional nature of capital punishment cases. On one side is a grieving family seeking justice and closure, while on the other is a man claiming wrongful conviction. Whether justice will truly be served remains a question, but for now, the state of South Carolina is moving forward with its decision.
As the final moments approach, Bowman continues to express hope, but for Kandee Martin’s family, the hope lies in finding peace after years of pain. Their story is a stark reminder of the devastating impact crime leaves behind, not just for victims but for entire families and communities.
