In Columbia, South Carolina, a significant and grim milestone in U.S. judicial history occurred as a man was executed by firing squad for the first time in 15 years. Brad Sigmon, aged 67, was executed for the brutal killing of his ex-girlfriend’s parents, further entrenching the state’s reputation for its use of capital punishment. Sigmon was pronounced dead at 6:08 p.m. following the execution carried out by three volunteer prison employees armed with rifles.
Sigmon had committed the murders at the Greenville County home of David and Gladys Larke in 2001, during a botched attempt to kidnap their daughter. His chilling plan involved taking her on a romantic getaway, only to ultimately end both her life and his. Sigmon’s choice to face the firing squad was motivated by his fear of the electric chair “cooking him alive,” and his apprehension that a lethal injection could cause internal drowning from fluids. South Carolina’s specifics on execution protocols remain undisclosed, leading Sigmon to unsuccessfully request the state Supreme Court to delay his execution to dispute these uncertainties.
On the day of the execution, Sigmon wore a black jumpsuit marked with a target and a hood, sitting just 15 feet away from the armed staff. This stark scene was witnessed by a small group, including family members of the victims, Sigmon’s lawyer, and three media representatives. As the execution unfolded, the synchronized sound of gunfire caused many in attendance to recoil from the shock. The shots echoed through the chamber, marked by the sight of Sigmon’s physical reaction to being hit.
Among those present were Sigmon’s attorney and a spiritual advisor, alongside representatives from the prosecutor’s office and the media. His attorney offered a poignant final statement on behalf of Sigmon, a passionate plea for Christians to join efforts to abolish the death penalty. Prior to his execution, Sigmon’s last meal consisted of fried chicken, complemented by green beans, mashed potatoes with gravy, and several other sides.
Firing squad executions have a storied and often dark history in the annals of punishment in the U.S. and other countries, historically associated with military discipline, frontier justice, and as a tool of political repression globally. The shooting that ended Sigmon’s life marked only the fourth use of this method in the U.S. since 1977. Should the legal system proceed without interruption, Ralph Menzies, currently in Utah, might be the next to face such a fate, pending the outcome regarding his mental competency for execution.
Outside the prison, demonstrators gathered to express their opposition to capital punishment, holding signs that promoted peace and humanity. Despite appeals for clemency from Sigmon’s supporters and arguments highlighting his model behavior in prison and his struggle with mental health, Governor Henry McMaster refused to alter his sentence. Historically, no South Carolina governor has commuted a death sentence, with the state executing 46 inmates since the reinstatement of the death penalty in 1976.
Gerald “Bo” King, head of the capital habeas unit in the federal public defender’s office, reflected on Sigmon’s final statement, emphasizing his call to dismantle the capital punishment system. King expressed dismay at the continuation of such executions, stressing Sigmon’s commitment to faith and service during his time on death row.
During the early 2000s, South Carolina was notably active in carrying out death penalties, but a gap emerged due to challenges in obtaining necessary drugs for lethal injections. Now, the state has resumed executions with a more frequent schedule, witnessing several executions recently after the Supreme Court’s approval. Currently, 28 inmates remain on death row as the state continues to navigate its complex relationship with capital punishment. Over the years, some sentenced to death have seen their penalties reduced or have passed away before their execution dates.