A South Carolina inmate’s choice of firing squad execution reignites debate on capital punishment methods.
Quick Takes
- Brad Sigmon, 67, set to be first person executed by firing squad in U.S. in 15 years
- South Carolina reinstated firing squad due to difficulties obtaining lethal injection drugs
- Sigmon’s case highlights ongoing ethical debates surrounding execution methods
- Lawyers appeal to state Supreme Court, citing inexperienced trial representation
Inmate Chooses Firing Squad Over Other Execution Methods
Brad Sigmon, a 67-year-old death row inmate in South Carolina, has made the unprecedented decision to die by firing squad on March 7, 2025. This choice marks the first time in 15 years that a firing squad execution will be carried out in the United States. Sigmon’s decision comes after South Carolina’s recent move to reinstate the firing squad as an execution method, prompted by difficulties in acquiring drugs for lethal injections.
Sigmon, convicted for the brutal 2001 murders of his ex-girlfriend’s parents, faced a grim choice between three execution methods: lethal injection, electric chair, or firing squad. His attorney, Gerald “Bo” King, explained the reasoning behind Sigmon’s decision, citing concerns about the other methods.
“Sigmon didn’t pick the electric chair because it would “burn and cook him alive,” said King.
Execution Protocol and Legal Challenges
The execution will be carried out by three volunteers firing at Sigmon from 15 feet away. He will wear a hood, and a target will be placed over his heart. This method, while seemingly archaic, has been deemed necessary by South Carolina lawmakers due to the ongoing shortage of lethal injection drugs.
“The only choice that remained is the firing squad. Brad has no illusions about what being shot will do to his body. He does not wish to inflict that pain on his family, the witnesses, or the execution team. But, given South Carolina’s unnecessary and unconscionable secrecy, Brad is choosing as best he can,” Sigmon’s lawyer said.
Sigmon’s legal team is pursuing multiple avenues to challenge the execution. They have appealed to the state Supreme Court, arguing that his trial lawyers were inexperienced and failed to present mitigating factors that could have influenced his sentence. Additionally, they are seeking clemency from Governor Henry McMaster, though such mercy has not been granted in South Carolina for nearly five decades.
Ethical Debates and State Preparations
Sigmon’s case has reignited debates about the ethics and humanity of various execution methods. Critics question whether firing squads are more humane compared to lethal injections, which have faced scrutiny for potentially causing undue suffering. The state’s secrecy surrounding lethal injection protocols has further fueled these concerns.
In preparation for this method of execution, South Carolina invested $54,000 in 2022 to construct a firing squad area within its death chamber. This move underscores the state’s commitment to maintaining capital punishment despite the challenges in drug procurement for lethal injections.
As Sigmon’s execution date approaches, his case continues to draw attention to the broader discourse on capital punishment in America. It raises questions about the morality and implications of each execution method, as well as the overall justification for the death penalty in modern society.
