South Carolina Executes First Firing Squad Death in 15 Years

COLUMBIA, S.C. — In a historic move, South Carolina is set to carry out its first firing squad execution in 15 years on Friday, marking a significant moment in U.S. capital punishment history. Brad Sigmon, 67, was convicted in 2001 for the brutal killing of his ex-girlfriend’s parents, and he has chosen this method over lethal injection and electrocution due to concerns about the pain that the latter methods could inflict.

Sigmon’s execution is notable as only three firing squad executions have occurred nationwide since 1977, all in Utah. Proponents of the method argue that it may be a more humane alternative compared to the increasingly problematic lethal injection protocols that states like South Carolina have struggled to use effectively. Sigmon expressed fear of a torturous death by lethal injection based on recent autopsy reports from two previous executions in South Carolina.

“The state’s lethal injection protocols are shrouded in secrecy, and I have no faith in them,” Sigmon’s attorney, Gerald “Bo” King, stated. He added that Sigmon’s choice was driven by the desire to avoid a slow, painful death, a risk he associates with the lethal injection method currently used by the state.

The execution procedure will take place at the Broad River Correctional Institution. Sigmon will be strapped into a chair, a target will be placed over his heart, and a hood will be placed over his head. Three trained shooters will then fire simultaneously from 15 feet away. This setup mirrors the firing squad executions that history has documented as a method dating back to colonial times.

“Firing squads have been used historically for mutiny and desertion, and they evoke a certain undeniable brutality,” said Professor Deborah Denno from Fordham Law School, highlighting the turbulent history of capital punishment methods in America.

Since 1608, at least 144 civilian executions by firing squad have occurred in the United States, most notably in Utah. The last execution by this method occurred in 2010 when Ronnie Lee Gardner was put to death. The swift procedure and, if done correctly, the nearly instantaneous death it provides are part of the appeal for some who argue in favor of its reinstatement.

Denno insists that firing squads should be reconsidered in light of the issues surrounding lethal injection: “Lethal injection has only gotten worse over the decades. The firing squad really stands out as a relatively decent method of execution.”

Sigmon was given the choice between execution methods because of a law passed in 2021 and the state’s ongoing issues in acquiring lethal injection drugs. His decision comes amid broader debates about the cruelty and efficacy of capital punishment in the U.S. and the necessary scrutiny of various execution protocols.

As the clock ticks towards the execution time, Sigmon awaits his fate while emphasizing his regret and remorse for the lives he has taken. “He is deeply devout and has spent much of his time in prayer since his incarceration,” King mentioned.

Legal recourse remains open to Sigmon; he has requested clemency from Governor Henry McMaster, who will make his decision just before the execution. However, no South Carolina governor has granted clemency to any prisoner since the state reinstated the death penalty in 1976.

The method of execution, while historically rooted and revivalist, raises ethical questions about state-sanctioned punishment in America today. As Sigmon prepares for a method steeped in a violent past, advocates on both sides of the capital punishment debate watch closely, reflecting on its implications for the future.