Newberry SC, October 11, 2025
News Summary
Fred Singleton, the longest-serving death row inmate in South Carolina, has passed away at the age of 81 due to natural causes. Singleton spent 42 years on death row after being convicted of the rape and murder of Elizabeth Lominick. His case set a precedent concerning mental competency in capital punishment, as he was found mentally incompetent for execution yet remained under a death sentence. Singleton’s death raises ongoing concerns regarding mental health and the legal system’s treatment of death row inmates in the state.
Columbia, South Carolina – Fred Singleton, South Carolina’s longest-serving death row inmate, died of natural causes at a prison infirmary at the age of 81. His death, which occurred on Monday, was not announced to the public by the South Carolina Department of Corrections until four days later.
Singleton was convicted in 1983 for the rape and murder of 73-year-old Elizabeth Lominick in Newberry County the year prior. He was arrested in Georgetown County after being found in possession of Lominick’s car, her jewelry, and approximately $100 in cash. Despite his sentence, Singleton spent 42 years on death row, largely due to protracted legal battles concerning his mental competency related to the death penalty.
In a pivotal ruling, the South Carolina Supreme Court declared Singleton mentally incompetent for execution, finding that he did not comprehend the concept of execution by electric chair and could only answer questions with “yes” or “no.” This ruling, established in 1993, set a precedent regarding the competency of death row inmates.
Though the court concluded that Singleton should not face execution due to his mental state, his death sentence remained valid as it could not be reversed. There was an understanding that his mental competency might improve with medication, but he could not be compelled to take any medication for execution purposes. As a result, Singleton lived the latter years of his life on death row without facing execution.
Following Singleton’s death, South Carolina now has 24 inmates remaining on death row, with the next longest-serving inmate being Jamie Wilson, who has been imprisoned for 34 years since his conviction in 1989 for the killings of two eight-year-old girls in a school shooting. Wilson is also currently engaged in legal challenges regarding his own competency.
In a notable trend, South Carolina resumed executions in 2024 after a 13-year hiatus, resulting in six inmates being executed since the resumption. Presently, two additional inmates have received judgments of competency for execution, but they are in the process of appealing those decisions.
The death of Fred Singleton underscores significant ongoing issues surrounding mental competency and the administration of capital punishment in South Carolina. His lengthy incarceration raises important questions about the intersection of mental health and the legal system regarding death row inmates.
FAQ
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Who was Fred Singleton?
Fred Singleton was South Carolina’s longest-serving death row inmate, who died of natural causes at the age of 81.
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How long did Fred Singleton spend on death row?
Fred Singleton spent 42 years on death row.
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What crime was Fred Singleton convicted of?
Singleton was convicted in 1983 for the rape and murder of 73-year-old Elizabeth Lominick in Newberry County.
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Why did Fred Singleton not face execution?
Singleton did not face execution because the South Carolina Supreme Court ruled him mentally incompetent for execution.
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What precedent was established concerning Fred Singleton’s case?
The South Carolina Supreme Court established a precedent regarding the competency of death row inmates based on Singleton’s case in 1993.
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Additional Resources
- South Carolina’s Longest Serving Death Row Inmate Dies
- South Carolina Executes Man Serving Two Death Sentences
- SC Attorney General Wants Death Penalty in Recent Case
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Death Penalty
- Wikipedia: Death Penalty in the United States
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