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Execution by Firing Squad in South Carolina: A Controversial Method Revisited
A firing squad executed a man in South Carolina on Friday, marking the second instance of this execution method being employed in the state within just five weeks. Mikal Mahdi, 42, was pronounced dead shortly after the execution, which took place at 6:01 p.m. he was killed for the murder of off-duty police officer James Myers.
Witnesses reported that Mahdi reacted vocally and physically as the shots were fired, groaning and continuing to breathe for approximately 80 seconds before he appeared to take a final gasp. The South Carolina Department of Corrections confirmed that he was pronounced dead by a medical professional at 6:05 p.m.
In a chilling decision, Mahdi chose to face the firing squad rather than opting for lethal injection or the electric chair. This execution came just weeks after Brad Sigmon became the first U.S. inmate executed by firing squad in over 15 years, with a historical precedent primarily associated with Utah.
The firing squad has a storied and often brutal history, employed across various contexts—ranging from military discipline to acts of political repression during times of war and turmoil. South Carolina legislators, however, believed this method could represent a more efficient and humane approach to capital punishment, particularly given the challenges surrounding the procurement of lethal injection drugs. The execution was carried out by three volunteers who fired the fatal shots.
Mahdi’s execution marks the fifth death imposed by the state in under eight months, following a 13-year moratorium on capital punishment in South Carolina. This year, Mahdi’s execution was the 12th in the United States, contributing to a total of 25 executions across nine states in 2024. While South Carolina has explored both firing squads and lethal injections, states like Alabama and Louisiana have notably turned to nitrogen gas as a means of execution.
In 2004, Mahdi admitted to the murder of Officer Myers, shooting him at least eight times and subsequently cremating his body. The discovery of the officer’s remains was made by his wife in a shed that held personal significance for the couple. Moreover, Mahdi was linked to another murder: that of Christopher Boggs, a convenience store clerk in North Carolina, whom he killed just days prior to the execution of Myers.
Following his conviction, Mahdi’s legal team argued that his original representation failed to effectively advocate for his life, lacking critical testimonies from family and acquaintances that could have highlighted his troubled past. They characterized his defense as superficial, lasting only about 30 minutes—a duration they found unfit for a case with such grave stakes.
Mahdi’s upbringing was marred by abuse and instability; he recalled traumatic memories from childhood, including violence in his home. His defense claimed this turbulent past contributed to a life fraught with challenges, leading to his eventual criminal behavior. In prison, Mahdi displayed violent tendencies, including assaults on prison staff and escape attempts, which prosecutors highlighted as evidence of his character.
The recent execution signifies a renewed phase of activity within South Carolina’s death chamber, seeing five executions in just a few months following a lengthy hiatus. As of now, there are no more inmates who have exhausted their legal appeals, though several are nearing the end of their legal battles.
The renewed use of the firing squad followed legislative changes aimed at ensuring the continuation of capital punishment in South Carolina, including provisions for maintaining the secrecy of execution protocols and drug suppliers. Alongside Mahdi and Sigmon, other inmates have faced lethal injections since the state’s execution protocols were reinstated.
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