South Carolina Man Faces Execution by Firing Squad in Historic Death Penalty Case

"South Carolina Man Set for Firing Squad Execution"

Brad Sigmon, convicted of murdering his ex-girlfriend's parents, will be executed by firing squad in South Carolina, the first since 2010.

Emily Johnson7 March 2025Last Update : 2 days ago

South Carolina man to be executed by firing squad

www.bbc.com

A South Carolina prison inmate, Brad Sigmon, is set to be executed by firing squad on Friday at 18:00 local time. This marks the first execution by firing squad in the united states in 15 years, following his conviction for murdering his ex-girlfriend’s parents in 2001.

6 Key Takeaways

First US execution by firing squad since 2010
Brad Sigmon convicted of double murder
Execution method involves specially designed bullets
South Carolina law protects execution team identities
ACLU challenges secrecy in execution procedures
Nationally, few executions by firing squad

Fast Answer: Brad Sigmon will be executed by firing squad on March 10, 2025, making him the first person to face this method in the US since 2010. Convicted of killing his ex-girlfriend’s parents with a baseball bat, Sigmon chose this method over lethal injection due to concerns about its effectiveness.

Brad Sigmon, aged 67, was convicted for the brutal murder of David and Gladys Larke in Greenville County, South Carolina. He committed these crimes before kidnapping his ex-girlfriend at gunpoint. His choice of execution method comes amid ongoing debates regarding lethal injections’ reliability and transparency issues surrounding their administration.

The execution procedure involves Sigmon being strapped to a chair with a target placed on his chest and a bag over his head. Three volunteers will fire rifles from behind a curtain, using specially designed bullets intended to cause maximum damage upon impact. Afterward, medical personnel will confirm his death.

Sigmon is the first person to be executed by firing squad since 2010.
This will only be the fourth execution by firing squad since the death penalty was reinstated in the US in 1976.
South Carolina constructed its firing squad area at a cost of $54,000 due to difficulties obtaining lethal injection drugs.

The South Carolina Supreme Court recently denied an appeal from Sigmon’s lawyers who sought more time to investigate lethal injection protocols and questioned previous legal representation adequacy. Historically, no governor has granted clemency for executions since capital punishment was reinstated in 1976.

Notice: Canadian readers should note that while Canada abolished the death penalty in 1976, discussions around capital punishment continue globally. The methods and ethical implications vary significantly between countries.

This upcoming execution highlights significant issues surrounding capital punishment methods and their implementation within the justice system. As debates continue regarding their efficacy and morality, Brad Sigmon’s case underscores ongoing challenges faced by inmates sentenced to death.