South Carolina’s supreme court has rejected convicted murderer Brad Sigmon’s final appeal, paving the way for his execution by firing squad on Friday. Sigmon’s lawyers wanted a delay to gather more information about the lethal injection drug used in the state, but he opted for the firing squad over the electric chair to avoid suffering.
Sigmon, who beat his ex-girlfriend’s parents to death, planned to kidnap his ex-girlfriend for a romantic weekend before killing her and himself. He will be executed in the state’s death chamber by three shooters from 15ft away. This would be the first firing squad execution in the US in 15 years.
Autopsies of inmates executed by lethal injection in South Carolina showed fluid in their lungs, raising concerns about the method’s cruelty. Sigmon’s lawyers argue that the lack of information led him to choose the firing squad. They also plan to ask the governor for clemency, highlighting Sigmon’s good behavior in prison and mental health struggles.
The state’s shield law keeps details of the execution process secret, making it unclear if the new protocol requires two doses of the lethal injection drug. Sigmon’s attorney condemned the execution as barbaric and cruel, urging for anger over the situation. However, with no governor having granted clemency in almost 50 years, Sigmon’s fate remains uncertain.
Note: The image is for illustrative purposes only and is not the original image associated with the presented article. Due to copyright reasons, we are unable to use the original images. However, you can still enjoy the accurate and up-to-date content and information provided.
