- Second firing squad execution in South Carolina since March 2024
- Mikal Mahdi chose bullets over lethal injection citing faster outcome
- State resumes executions after 13-year pause with 5 deaths since September
- New laws shield execution drug suppliers and firing squad participants
South Carolina’s prison system continues to draw national attention as it carries out its second firing squad execution this spring. The controversial method – last used in the U.S. over a decade ago – has become central to the state’s efforts to resume capital punishment following legislative changes addressing lethal injection drug shortages. Legal experts note this marks a significant shift in execution protocol adoption nationwide.
Regional comparisons reveal Utah remains the only other state to use firing squads this century, though South Carolina’s accelerated timeline suggests new urgency. The Palmetto State has executed five inmates since September 2023, compared to just three executions total between 2011-2022. Prison officials attribute this surge to cleared legal hurdles and revised protocols protecting supplier anonymity.
Ethical debates intensify as medical professionals question the humanelabel applied to firearms-based executions. While state lawmakers argue three rifle shots to the heart ensures instant death, historical data from military executions shows 12% of firing squad victims required coup de grâce shots. Modern ballistic improvements aim to reduce this risk through specialized ammunition designed to fragment upon impact.
Financial implications also drive method selection – firing squad facilities cost $53,000 to construct versus $1.3 million for electric chair renovations. This cost-effectiveness appeals to legislators facing budget constraints, though human rights groups condemn the calculation as morally bankrupt. A 2024 Prison Policy Initiative report shows Southern states spend 34% more per capita on execution infrastructure than national averages.
Mahdi’s case highlights systemic issues in capital defense representation. His original trial lasted just three days, with mitigation evidence limited to 30 minutes of testimony. Recent studies show South Carolina ranks 47th in public defender funding, creating what legal scholars call assembly line justicefor death penalty cases. Proposed reforms include mandatory mental health evaluations and expanded appeal timelines.
As the curtain closes on South Carolina’s execution chamber until further cases clear appeals, national observers watch for ripple effects. Thirteen states have pending legislation regarding alternative execution methods, with Texas recently approving nitrogen hypoxia protocols. These developments suggest a new era of capital punishment innovation – and controversy – unfolding across America.
