PICKENS — Nearly three years after Tiffany Souers was raped and murdered, a judge sentenced her killer to death in a Pickens County courtroom Wednesday evening.

Circuit Judge Ned Miller told Jerry Buck Inman he is to die by either the electric chair or lethal injection for the May 2006 murder of the 20-year-old Clemson University student.

Miller set the execution for July 28. He also sentenced Inman to 30 years for burglary and 30 years for criminal sexual assault in connection with Souers' death.

Inman was also found guilty of kidnapping, but Miller did not pass sentence for that crime because of the murder conviction.

Inman’s attorney Jim Bannister said he anticipates filing an appeal.

Despite Bannister’s fight to spare his client’s life, the serial rapist stood before the judge prior to the sentencing and asked to be put to death.

He said his bad childhood was no excuse for what he did.

“I’ve been incarcerated over half my life,” he said. “I’ve proven by my actions that prison can’t rehabilitate me.

“I’ve escaped twice,” Inman said. “In reality, there’s only one viable sentence to impose for someone like me, and I ask you to impose that sentence.”

Before handing down the sentence, Miller called Inman’s actions “savage, brutal and unconscionable.”

He also acknowledged the killer’s numerous mental disorders.

Miller described Inman as “a tortured soul whose inner demons will never leave him.”

After hearing he would die for his crimes, Inman spoke again – addressing Souers’ family who did not attend the hearing.

“There’s no excuse for any of the things I done,” he said. “There’s nothing I can say that can ease the pain. I’m just sorry for taking their daughter and sister.”

After the sentencing, 13th Circuit Solicitor Bob Ariail said he had contacted the Souers’ attorney to let them know Inman got the death penalty.

Inman’s mother and step-father were in the courtroom during the sentencing. They showed little emotion as Miller announced the sentence.

Bannister told the press afterward that he represented his client to the best of his ability and that it was the most difficult cased he had ever been involved with.

Check back at www.pickenssentinel.com and the Friday Easley Progress for further details.