- Bipartisan lawmakers seek independent review of April execution
- Autopsy shows bullets narrowly missed heart, extended consciousness
- Previous firing squad execution caused immediate fatal damage
- Calls for legislative witnesses at future executions
The April 11 execution of Mikal Mahdi has sparked bipartisan calls for accountability in South Carolina's capital punishment system. Representatives Justin Bamberg (D) and Neal Collins (R) argue the autopsy findings contradict official accounts of a 'properly conducted' execution, with evidence suggesting Mahdi remained conscious for up to 75 seconds post-shooting.
Forensic analysis revealed three rifle rounds fired from 15 feet created only two torso wounds, indicating a missed shot. Dr. Jonathan Arden's review concluded Mahdi likely experienced 30-60 seconds of acute pain due to limited cardiac damage - contrasting sharply with March's firing squad execution where three distinct chest wounds caused instant unconsciousness.
South Carolina's Department of Corrections faces scrutiny over autopsy protocols. Professional Pathology Services' examination omitted standard procedures like X-rays and clothing analysis, preventing independent verification. Ohio State surgeon Jonathan Groner criticized the process as 'an external examination' rather than legitimate forensic pathology.
The controversy highlights broader debates about execution methods. While 28 states retain lethal injection as primary method, South Carolina's unique tri-option system (lethal injection, electric chair, firing squad) faces constitutional challenges. Neighboring Georgia's 2021 switch to single-drug protocols offers potential regional precedent for reform.
Legal experts predict Mahdi's case will influence Stephen Stanko's upcoming execution preparations. With potential court challenges looming, South Carolina legislators propose requiring at least one lawmaker witness per execution - a transparency measure already adopted in Texas and Oklahoma.
Prison officials maintain their processes comply with state law, though critics note South Carolina spends 38% more per execution than the national average. This fiscal reality, combined with pharmaceutical companies' refusal to supply lethal injection drugs, continues driving unconventional execution method adoption nationwide.
