A South Carolina death row inmate’s choice of execution method has reignited the debate on capital punishment and its methods.
At a Glance
- Brad Sigmon, 67, has chosen to die by firing squad on March 7, 2025
- This will be the first firing squad execution in the U.S. in 15 years
- Sigmon was convicted for the 2001 murder of his ex-girlfriend’s parents
- South Carolina reintroduced the firing squad due to lethal injection drug shortages
- The case has sparked discussions on humane execution methods
Sigmon’s Controversial Decision
Brad Sigmon, a 67-year-old death row inmate in South Carolina, has made a decision that has thrust the state’s capital punishment practices into the national spotlight. Sigmon has chosen to die by firing squad on March 7, becoming the first person in South Carolina to select this method over lethal injection or the electric chair. This choice marks a significant moment in the history of executions in the United States, as firing squad executions have not been used in the country for 15 years.
Sigmon’s decision to opt for the firing squad stems from concerns about other execution methods. His lawyer, Gerald “Bo” King, explained the reasoning behind this choice. “Sigmon didn’t pick the electric chair because it would burn and cook him alive,” King said, but added, “The alternative is just as monstrous.”
The Execution Process
The execution process, as outlined by South Carolina officials, involves three volunteers firing at Sigmon from 15 feet away. The condemned will have a hood placed over his head and a target fixed on his heart. This method, while seen as potentially quicker than other forms of execution, still raises ethical questions about state-sanctioned death.
South Carolina’s decision to reintroduce the firing squad as an execution method came in response to difficulties in obtaining drugs for lethal injections. The state legislature approved this method, and in 2022, South Carolina spent $54,000 to construct a firing squad area in its death chamber.
The Case Against Sigmon
Brad Sigmon was convicted for the brutal 2001 murder of his ex-girlfriend’s parents and the attempted kidnapping of his ex-girlfriend. If executed, he would become the oldest inmate put to death in South Carolina since the reinstatement of the death penalty in 1976. Sigmon’s legal team is currently appealing to the state Supreme Court, arguing that his trial lawyers were inexperienced and failed to present mitigating factors that could have influenced his sentencing.
The case has reignited discussions about the ethics and efficacy of capital punishment. It raises questions about what constitutes a humane execution method and whether such a thing exists. As states grapple with drug shortages and public scrutiny, the future of capital punishment in America remains uncertain.
