South Carolina Inmate Brad Sigmon Opts for Firing Squad Execution

In a historic move, South Carolina inmate Brad Keith Sigmon has chosen to be executed by firing squad, a method that has never been used in the state before. Scheduled for tonight, this execution could mark the first time a firing squad is used indoors in the United States. Sigmon, convicted of a brutal crime, opted for this method over lethal injection, citing his preference for a quicker and more certain death.

The decision has sparked a wave of controversy and debate across the nation about the ethics and legality of execution methods. Critics argue that the use of a firing squad is a step back in the evolution of capital punishment, while supporters claim it offers a more humane alternative to potentially botched lethal injections.

South Carolina's move to implement firing squad executions comes after a period of difficulty in obtaining drugs for lethal injections, pushing the state to amend its laws to include alternative methods. As the execution looms, activists and legal experts are closely watching, ready to challenge the outcome in court if necessary.

• Brad Sigmon
• firing squad
• South Carolina

Detailed South Carolina executes Brad Sigmon by firing squad

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Does South Carolina have Death by Firing Squad?

In 2021, South Carolina passed a law allowing execution by firing squad in the state but named the electric chair the state's primary means of execution.

How is the firing squad carried out in South Carolina?

The gurney used to carry out lethal injections had been rolled away.The volunteers all fired at the same time through openings in a wall. They were not visible to about a dozen witnesses in a room separated from the chamber by bullet-resistant glass.When the shots were fired, the target was blasted off Sigmon's chest.

Why did Brad Sigmon get the death penalty?

Sigmon was convicted of beating to death his ex-girlfriend's parents, William and Gladys Larke, with a baseball bat at their home in the town of Taylors in 2001.

Does North Carolina have the death penalty?

Despite remaining a legal penalty, there have been no executions in North Carolina since 2006. A series of lawsuits filed in state courts questioning the fairness and humanity of capital punishment have created a de facto moratorium on executions being carried out in North Carolina.

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