South Carolina, October 17, 2025
News Summary
Fred Singleton, an 81-year-old inmate, died of natural causes while serving the longest death row sentence in South Carolina. He spent 42 years on death row after being convicted of the rape and murder of 73-year-old Elizabeth Lominick. Singleton’s time on death row was marked by legal complexities regarding his competency for execution, leading to a prolonged legal limbo. After his death, 24 inmates remain on death row in South Carolina, highlighting ongoing debates about mental health and capital punishment.
Columbia, South Carolina – Fred Singleton, an 81-year-old inmate, died of natural causes at Kirkland Correctional Institution’s infirmary in South Carolina. Singleton was the state’s longest-serving death row inmate, spending 42 years on death row before his passing. He was sentenced to death in 1983 for the heinous crime of raping and strangling 73-year-old Elizabeth Lominick in Newberry County. Following the crime, he was also convicted of stealing Lominick’s jewelry.
Singleton’s extraordinary stay on death row was largely due to legal complications. Over the last three decades of his life, he remained in a state of legal limbo because the South Carolina Supreme Court found him incompetent to be executed. The court concluded that Singleton did not comprehend the reality of his execution by electric chair, only responding to his attorneys’ inquiries with “yes” or “no.” In a 1993 ruling, justices opted to maintain his death sentence on the grounds that there was potential for future advances in psychological treatment that could restore his competency. This ruling also meant that Singleton could not be forced to take medication simply to prepare him for execution.
Singleton’s criminal activities came to light in 1982 when he broke into Lominick’s home. Her body was discovered by her sisters and niece shortly after. Law enforcement linked Singleton to the crime through forensic evidence, as his fingerprints were found on a bathroom window screen at the scene. He was later arrested in Georgetown County with Lominick’s diamond and gold rings in his possession. Additionally, police discovered Lominick’s car nearby, which also contained Singleton’s fingerprints.
Following Singleton’s death, 24 inmates currently remain on South Carolina’s death row. The state had recorded 48 inmates on death row by the end of 2014; since that point, six inmates have been executed. Others have either had their convictions overturned and subsequently resentenced or have passed away from natural causes. The current longest-serving inmate on death row is Jamie Wilson, 56, who has been there for 34 years after being involved in a 1988 shooting at a Greenwood County elementary school. Like Singleton, Wilson is also in a state of legal limbo due to mental health issues, having undergone a competency hearing in 2011 without a ruling being issued to date.
The case of Fred Singleton highlights the complexities surrounding death penalty cases in South Carolina, particularly regarding mental health evaluations and their implications on execution mandates.
Key Statistics of Death Row in South Carolina
| Year | Inmates on Death Row | Executed Inmates | Current Longest-Serving Inmate | Years on Death Row |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | 48 | 6 | Jamie Wilson | 34 |
| 2023 | 24 | 6 | Jamie Wilson | 34 |
FAQ
Who was Fred Singleton?
Fred Singleton, an 81-year-old inmate, died of natural causes at Kirkland Correctional Institution’s infirmary in South Carolina. He spent 42 years on death row, making him the state’s longest-serving inmate in that status.
What crime was Fred Singleton convicted of?
Singleton was sentenced to death in 1983 for the rape and strangling of 73-year-old Elizabeth Lominick in Newberry County. He was convicted of stealing Lominick’s jewelry after the crime.
What was unique about Singleton’s stay on death row?
Singleton spent the last three decades of his life in prison under legal limbo due to a state Supreme Court ruling that found him incompetent to be executed. The court ruled that Singleton did not understand he could die in the electric chair.
How many inmates remain on death row in South Carolina after Singleton’s death?
Following Singleton’s death, 24 inmates remain on South Carolina’s death row.
Who is currently the longest-serving inmate on death row in South Carolina?
The current longest-serving inmate on death row is Jamie Wilson, 56, who has been there for 34 years and was involved in a 1988 shooting at a Greenwood County elementary school.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
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Additional Resources
- South Carolina Daily Gazette
- Fox News
- ABC News
- Encyclopedia Britannica: death penalty South Carolina
- Google Search: Fred Singleton South Carolina death row
Author: STAFF HERE NEWBERRY
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