A death row inmate in South Carolina has chosen to die by firing squad, marking the first execution of its kind in the state’s modern history and only the fourth in the U.S. since 1977.
Who is the Inmate?
Brad Keith Sigmon, 67, is scheduled for execution on March 7. He was convicted of killing his ex-girlfriend’s parents, David and Gladys Larke, in 2001 by beating them to death.
Why Did He Choose the Firing Squad?
In South Carolina, death row inmates can choose between lethal injection, the electric chair, or a firing squad. If they do not choose, the default method is the electric chair.
Sigmon’s attorney, Gerald “Bo” King, said his client had no real choice. He claimed that South Carolina’s lethal injections have caused severe suffering in the past and that the state’s old electric chair could cause extreme pain by burning and cooking the inmate alive.
Sigmon chose what his attorney called “the least torturous way to die.”
Criticism of the Execution
Sigmon’s lawyer strongly opposed the execution, calling it barbaric and cruel. He stated that the state’s execution methods are inhumane and urged the public to take action against such punishments.
“There is no justice here,” King said. “We should not just be horrified – we should be furious.”
State’s Response
The South Carolina Attorney General’s Office, which handles death penalty cases, has not yet responded to questions about the upcoming execution.
Understanding the Case
- Crime: Sigmon was convicted of killing his ex-girlfriend’s parents in 2001.
- Execution Date: March 7, 2024.
- Execution Method: Firing squad, which involves a group of trained officers shooting the inmate in the heart.
- South Carolina’s Options: The state allows three execution methods—firing squad, electric chair, or lethal injection.
This case has reignited debates about the ethics of the death penalty and whether such execution methods should still be used today.
