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COLUMBIA, S.C. — Recently, I had the somber experience of observing the execution of Brad Sigmon by firing squad at a South Carolina prison, marking my eleventh witnessing of capital punishment from behind glass and bars. This occasion was particularly striking compared to the previous ten executions.
As a journalist, I strive to prepare for such assignments, delving deeply into the background of the case and studying the individual involved.
In the weeks leading up to the execution, I researched the mechanics of firing squads and the lethal effects of gunfire. I even reviewed autopsy images from the last person executed in Utah via firing squad back in 2010.
Additionally, I examined trial transcripts detailing the brutal specifics of Sigmon’s crime in 2001, in which he attacked his ex-girlfriend’s parents with a baseball bat, resulting in their deaths.
However, no amount of preparation could fully equip me for the realities of witnessing an execution, particularly when certain protocols are shrouded in secrecy. This made it challenging to anticipate what the moment would entail.
The firing squad execution itself was notably swifter and more unsettling than lethal injection. As Sigmon’s lawyer read his final words, I felt my heart race. Once he was hooded, the tension escalated as an official raised the shade to reveal the shooters nearby.
Approximately two minutes after that, the shots rang out suddenly, catching me off guard. The rapid discharge was followed by Sigmon’s body jerking in reaction, the white target on his chest vanishing against his dark prison uniform.
This scene took me back to a prior execution I’d witnessed two decades ago, where the electrical current convulsed a prisoner’s body in a similarly haunting fashion.
In the moments that followed, I was acutely aware of the ticking digital clock on the wall, as I tried to monitor Sigmon’s condition, the shooters, and the other witnesses in attendance.
A crimson mark soon appeared on Sigmon’s chest, and despite a few gasps, the room fell into silence. A physician came out within a minute, confirming Sigmon’s death at 6:08 p.m.
After the execution, we exited through the same door we entered.
Stepping outside, I was struck by the pink and purple hues of the sunset, a stark juxtaposition to the stark, sterile environment of the execution chamber.
The death chamber is just a short drive from the Correction Department’s headquarters. I often reflect during this journey, observing a pastoral scene with cows on one side of the highway, contrasted by the prison’s ominous razor wire on the other.
There was a notable presence of armed correctional officers, and we were delayed for about 15 minutes in parked vans outside the death chamber, cut off from our devices and watches for security reasons.
I glanced at the barred windows of South Carolina’s death row, noticing that the inmate count had decreased from 31 to 27.
Since the state resumed executions after a prolonged hiatus, death row inmates now have the option of lethal injection, electrocution, or firing squad.
Earlier executions, like that of Freddie Owens on September 20, featured dramatic moments, with Owens making eye contact with witnesses as part of the emotionally charged atmosphere.
I also witnessed Richard Moore’s execution on November 1, where he appeared at peace as his lawyer mourned beside him.
Moreover, during Marion Bowman Jr.’s execution on January 31, I observed a moment of calm as he shared a small smile with his lawyer before closing his eyes.
Throughout my experiences, I’ve seen the profound impacts on the victims’ families, as they confront the individuals responsible for their suffering. The pain etched in their faces lingers long after the executions.
The sound of gunfire from the firing squad, much like the earlier jolt of electricity, will remain with me. I also vividly recall Sigmon’s momentarily reassuring gesture toward his lawyer just before the hood was placed over his head.
Looking ahead, I anticipate returning to the Broad River Correctional Institution on April 11, as two additional inmates are set for execution after exhausting their appeals. This would mark the twelfth and thirteenth individuals I have witnessed being executed by the state, contributing to a significant portion of South Carolina’s capital punishment history since its reinstatement.
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Having covered 11 executions, the author continues to document the complex and often troubling aspects of capital punishment in South Carolina during his nearly 25-year tenure with The Associated Press.
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