Another SC inmate chooses firing squad execution, 3 weeks after state's first use of the method

COLUMBIA -- In a significant development, Mikal Mahdi, a 42-year-old condemned inmate, has opted for execution by firing squad on April 11, marking South Carolina's second such execution in just three weeks. This choice could set a national record for the shortest interval between firing squad executions in modern U.S. history.

Mahdi, who was sentenced to death for the murder of James Myers, an off-duty police officer, during a violent crime spree in 2004, opted for this method over lethal injection or electrocution, according to court filings submitted on March 28. He is set to become only the fifth person executed by firing squad in the U.S. since 1977, following the recent execution of Brad Sigmon, which was the first of its kind in the country in 15 years.

His attorney, David Weiss, described Mahdi's selection of the firing squad as "the lesser of three evils," alluding to the brutal nature of the other execution methods available. Weiss argued that Mahdi's decision reflects a deeply troubled history, including childhood abuse and trauma, which the judge who sentenced him was largely unaware of at the time.

Weiss expressed concern that going through with Mahdi's execution would represent a profound injustice, as it would ignore the systemic failures that contributed to his situation. He emphasized the significance of Mahdi's troubled childhood, recalling moments when Mahdi expressed thoughts of self-harm as a child.

Both Mahdi and Sigmon previously rejected lethal injection due to concerns over the state's execution protocol, especially after troubling findings in autopsy reports of prior executed inmates. This decision highlights ongoing debates regarding the morality and humanity of execution methods in the United States. This story will be updated.