Owens is set to be executed by lethal injection in the state's first execution in 13 years. This despite a key witness who testified against Owens now proclaiming his innocence.

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — Just days before inmate Freddie Owens is set to die by lethal injection in South Carolina, the friend whose testimony helped send Owens to prison is saying he lied to save himself from the death chamber.

South Carolina death row inmate Freddie Owens will die as scheduled on Friday despite the introduction of an affidavit by his co-defendant proclaiming Owens' innocence, the state's high court has ruled.