South Carolina inmate Brad Sigmon chooses firing squad execution, becoming the first to do so in 15 years.
Key Takeaways
- Brad Sigmon, 67, has chosen to be executed by firing squad on March 7, 2025, in South Carolina.
- This will be the first firing squad execution in the U.S. in 15 years.
- Sigmon’s decision highlights ethical debates surrounding execution methods and capital punishment.
- South Carolina recently restored the firing squad option due to scarcity of lethal injection drugs.
- Sigmon’s lawyers are appealing to the state Supreme Court, citing inexperienced trial lawyers.
Inmate’s Controversial Decision
Brad Sigmon, a 67-year-old death row inmate in South Carolina, has made a significant decision that has reignited debates on capital punishment methods. Sigmon has chosen to be executed by firing squad on March 7, 2025, making him the first in the state to select this method over lethal injection or the electric chair. This choice marks a rare occurrence in modern U.S. history, as firing squad executions have not been used in the country for 15 years, with the last three taking place in Utah, most recently in 2010.
Sigmon’s execution will be carried out by three volunteers who will fire at him from 15 feet away. The inmate will have a hood placed over his head and a target fixed on his heart. This method, while controversial, was chosen by Sigmon after careful consideration of the available options.
“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.
Reasons Behind the Choice
Sigmon’s decision to opt for the firing squad stems from concerns about other execution methods. The inmate’s decision was influenced by reports of prolonged deaths during lethal injections and South Carolina’s lack of transparency regarding its lethal injection protocols. These factors have raised questions about the humaneness and reliability of various execution methods.
Legal and Political Context
Sigmon was convicted for the 2001 murder of his ex-girlfriend’s parents and the attempted kidnapping of his ex-girlfriend. If executed, he would become the oldest inmate put to death in South Carolina since the reinstatement of the death penalty in 1976. His lawyers are currently appealing to the state Supreme Court, arguing that his trial lawyers were inexperienced and failed to present mitigating factors that could have influenced his sentence.
Sigmon’s last hope for clemency lies with Governor Henry McMaster, although no clemency has been granted in South Carolina in 49 years. This case highlights the complex interplay between legal procedures, political decisions, and ethical considerations in capital punishment cases.
Implications for Capital Punishment Debates
South Carolina’s decision to restore the firing squad option, prompted by difficulties in obtaining lethal injection drugs, has broader implications for the ongoing debate about capital punishment in the United States. The state spent $54,000 in 2022 to construct a firing squad area in its death chamber, reflecting the lengths to which some states are going to maintain the death penalty.
Sigmon’s case has brought attention to issues with various execution methods. His lawyers have cited problems with previous lethal injections, including prolonged deaths and concerns about the effects of pentobarbital. An autopsy from a previous execution revealed unusual fluid in the lungs, suggesting a drowning sensation, though state officials argue this is typical for such executions.
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.
