- First firing squad execution in the U.S. in over a decade
- Prisoner rejected lethal injection over torture concerns
- State protocol uses fragmenting .308-caliber ammunition
- 13-year execution pause due to drug access issues
- Two additional inmates awaiting imminent death warrants
South Carolina's planned execution of Brad Sigmon marks a historic return to firing squad protocols last used in 2010. The 67-year-old inmate selected this method after challenging the state's secretive lethal injection process, claiming it could cause drowning-like symptoms. This decision spotlights growing national debates about execution ethics as states grapple with pharmaceutical shortages and legal challenges.
The execution chamber features newly installed bullet-resistant glass and a modified restraint chair positioned 15 feet from volunteer marksmen. Forensic experts note the specialized Winchester ammunition creates catastrophic cardiac damage within seconds, contrasting with lethal injection's 20-minute average duration. Corrections officials confirm three trained shooters will fire simultaneously through a curtained partition.
South Carolina's capital punishment system stalled for 13 years due to expired drug stockpiles and supplier boycotts. A 2021 legislative compromise authorized firing squads as alternative to electrocution, which multiple courts deemed unconstitutional. State records show 37 inmates currently await execution, with two others exhausting appeals this month.
Legal analysts highlight this case's potential to influence eight states reconsidering execution methods. Oklahoma recently approved nitrogen hypoxia while Tennessee expanded electrocution protocols. Historical data reveals firing squads account for 0.3% of U.S. executions since 1976, though 43% of Americans now consider them more humane than lethal injections according to Pew Research surveys.
Sigmon's final hours include sharing a meal with death row peers and donating commissary funds. Victim advocates emphasize the 2002 double homicide that precipitated this execution: Sigmon bludgeoned his ex-girlfriend's parents with a baseball bat before attempting her murder. Prosecutors characterized the crimes as domestic violence escalation fueled by untreated mental illness.
As states increasingly adopt alternative execution methods, South Carolina's case provides crucial insights into modern capital punishment logistics. The Department of Corrections reports completing $75,000 in facility upgrades to accommodate firing squad protocols, including medical waste disposal systems and marksman training programs. With two more executions scheduled quarterly, this development signals a potential national shift in death penalty administration.