A South Carolina judge rules death by firing squad is unconstitutional
The South Carolina Supreme Court has put another execution on hold, two days after temporarily blocking plans for a rare firing squad execution.
Officials say Brad Keith Sigmon’s execution date is set for May 13.
A South Carolina prisoner scheduled for execution later this month has chosen to die by firing squad rather than in the electric chair. His attorneys have asked the state Supreme Court to halt the execution while another court considers whether the state’s capital punishment methods are constitutional.
The state of South Carolina has scheduled its first execution after prison officials indicated they are ready to conduct executions by firing squad.
The South Carolina Department of Corrections says it can now carry out executions by firing squad.
Yesterday, the South Carolina Supreme Court blocked two upcoming executions, saying the inmates could not be put to death until they truly have a choice between electrocution and the newly established firing squad option. Governor Henry McMaster says he does not agree with the court’s decision.
A federal judge in South Carolina has denied a request to block the upcoming executions of two prisoners scheduled to die under the state’s recently revised capital punishment law.
