Brad Sigmon, a 67-year-old man on death row in South Carolina, has selected execution by firing squad, making him the first to choose this method in the state’s history. Convicted for the 2001 murder of his former girlfriend’s parents, Sigmon’s execution is scheduled for March 7. He opted for the firing squad due to concerns about the state’s lethal injection process, which has faced scrutiny after problematic executions. The South Carolina Supreme Court ruled firing squad lawful, despite its inhumane perception. Sigmon’s choice reflects fears regarding lethal injection procedures, highlighting ongoing debates about execution methods in the U.S.
A man from South Carolina currently on death row has opted for execution by firing squad, according to his attorney on Friday. Should the execution proceed, he would make history as the first individual executed by this method in the state.
Brad Sigmon, 67, was convicted for the murder of his former girlfriend’s parents in Taylors, S.C., in 2001, and is scheduled for execution on March 7. Mr. Sigmon, who was instructed to select his execution method from options including electrocution, lethal injection, or firing squad, chose to be shot due to concerns regarding South Carolina’s lethal injection procedure, as stated by his lawyer, Gerald “Bo” King, to The New York Times.
Last year, the State Supreme Court recognized death by firing squad as a legal form of execution, despite it being largely perceived as an outdated and inhumane method, according to various polls among the American public. The Republican-dominated court ruled that since inmates can choose from two alternative methods, firing squad cannot be deemed cruel or unusual.
This ruling followed the passage of a law in South Carolina in 2021 that legalized death by electric chair and firing squad for death row inmates. The legislation, which established electrocution as the default execution method, was necessitated by the state’s inability to obtain the necessary drugs for lethal injection, which remains the predominant method in other states.
Utah was the only other state to have executed a prisoner by firing squad in recent history, doing so in 2010, and previously in 1996 and 1977.
In addition to South Carolina and Utah, only three other states — Mississippi, Oklahoma, and Idaho — permit firing squad as an alternative execution method, which may be utilized if lethal injection drugs are unavailable. Recently, Republicans in Idaho’s State Senate proposed a bill to designate firing squad as the primary execution method.
Since the ruling by the South Carolina Supreme Court last year, the Department of Corrections has executed three individuals, all of whom opted for lethal injection. However, Mr. King noted that Mr. Sigmon selected firing squad due to apprehensions over South Carolina’s use of the lethal injection drug, pentobarbital.
In court, Mr. King has asserted that the Department of Corrections has failed to disclose essential information regarding the drug, which is necessary to ensure its effectiveness, such as expiration dates, storage conditions, and testing protocols. South Carolina does not publicly release its lethal injection procedures.
A spokesperson for the Department of Corrections stated that all information concerning the drug has been provided during litigation and that the agency “sworn to the effectiveness of the drug.”
Nonetheless, Mr. King mentioned that two recently executed inmates—Richard B. Moore and Marion Bowman Jr.—experienced issues with the lethal injection process.
Lindsey Vann, the executive director of the nonprofit Justice 360, who represented the two men, indicated that a second dose of pentobarbital was administered 10 minutes after the first for both inmates, leading to prolonged death beyond 20 minutes during the execution. (Mr. Moore initially selected firing squad in 2022 but later changed his mind after the state acquired lethal injection drugs.)
“You’re forcing individuals to choose between horrifying methods,” Ms. Vann remarked. “Conversely, there is a lack of transparency about lethal injection, which we concede could be the most humane option if performed correctly, but we lack assurance that it is being conducted properly.”
Mr. King expressed that his client was deeply disturbed upon learning that the executions of Mr. Moore and Mr. Bowman—whom he regarded as friends—took much longer than anticipated, with Mr. Moore’s execution resulting in pulmonary edema, an excruciating condition where the lungs fill with fluid.
According to Mr. King, Mr. Sigmon believes that “the firing squad is the only viable option, considering his knowledge about the electric chair and the uncertainties surrounding lethal injection.” He indicated that his client is experiencing a “mixture of fear and frustration” regarding this choice.
In 2022, the South Carolina Department of Corrections noted that inmates who choose firing squad would be secured to chairs with hoods covering their heads, and three volunteers would then aim rifles at the heart of the individual to carry out the execution. The agency also mentioned having spent approximately $53,000 to renovate a death chamber in a prison located on the outskirts of Columbia, the state capital.
While polls indicate that a majority of Americans support the death penalty for murder convictions, a 2014 survey revealed that only 9 percent viewed firing squad as the most humane method, in contrast to 65 percent for lethal injection and 4 percent for electric chair.
Nicholas Bogel-Burroughs contributed reporting.