In a significant development, Brad Sigmon, a 67-year-old death row inmate in South Carolina, has elected to be executed by firing squad. This decision comes as the state resumes executions after a 13-year hiatus, during which it faced challenges in obtaining lethal injection drugs.
Sigmon, convicted in 2001 for the murders of his ex-girlfriend’s parents, is scheduled for execution on March 7, 2025. His choice of execution method is notable, as it would mark the first firing squad execution in the United States in 15 years, the last being in Utah in 2010. South Carolina reinstated the firing squad as an option in July 2024 to address the unavailability of lethal injection drugs. Inmates now have the choice between lethal injection, electric chair, or firing squad.
The execution protocol for the firing squad involves strapping the inmate to a chair, placing a hood over their head, and positioning a target over their heart. Three shooters, standing approximately 15 feet away, will fire simultaneously through a small opening. This method has been a subject of debate, with proponents arguing it is a more humane alternative to lethal injection, while opponents view it as a relic of a bygone era.
Sigmon’s attorneys have raised concerns about the potential for prolonged suffering with lethal injection, influencing his decision to opt for the firing squad. They have also sought to delay the execution to review the autopsy of a recently executed inmate, aiming to assess the humaneness of the state’s execution methods.
This case has reignited discussions on the ethics and methods of capital punishment, highlighting the complexities and challenges states face in carrying out death sentences.