As reported by The Hill, the South Carolina Supreme Court has ruled that executions by firing squad, along with other controversial methods, are legal if requested by the inmate.
On Wednesday, the South Carolina Supreme Court delivered its verdict, stating that death by firing squad and other methods of execution considered cruel and unusual are permissible when chosen by the inmate. The 2021 legislation was a response to ongoing difficulties in obtaining lethal injection drugs, which had led to botched executions.
The law passed in 2021 allows executions by firing squad and electrocution, alongside lethal injection. South Carolina faced a significant hurdle in carrying out executions due to a lack of reliable sources for lethal injection drugs. This shortage had rendered electrocution the default execution method.
Following the passage of this law, death row inmates challenged its legality. However, the state Supreme Court, which has a conservative majority, ultimately sided with state prosecutors. This ruling clears the way for the resumption of executions in South Carolina, which have been on hold since 2011.
Currently, there are 32 inmates on death row in South Carolina. The decision marks a significant development in the state's approach to capital punishment.
Justice John Few, writing for the majority, explained that the 2021 law was designed to make the death penalty less inhumane while allowing the state to enforce its laws. Few acknowledged the risk of executions being botched but argued that this risk does not render the method constitutionally cruel.
"The inescapable reality that an execution by any method may not go as planned — that it will be 'botched' — does not render the method 'cruel' under the constitution," Few stated. He emphasized that the law was a "sincere effort to make the death penalty less inhumane."
South Carolina now joins a handful of states that allow executions by firing squad. Only five states in the U.S. permit this method, and it has been used only three times since 1976, all in Utah.
Governor Henry McMaster praised the court's decision, stating, "The Supreme Court has rightfully upheld the rule of law. This decision is another step in ensuring that lawful sentences can be duly enforced and the families and loved ones of the victims receive the closure and justice they have long awaited."
The ruling has significant implications for the future of capital punishment in South Carolina. Electrocution, now the main method of execution in the state, is also legal in seven other states. This decision may influence other states facing similar challenges with lethal injection drugs.
The controversy surrounding the use of firing squads and electrocution highlights the ongoing debate over the most humane and effective methods of execution. As South Carolina prepares to resume executions, the ruling is expected to face further scrutiny and potential legal challenges.
With the Supreme Court's ruling, South Carolina is set to resume executions after a 13-year hiatus. The decision comes as the state grapples with the complexities of carrying out capital punishment amid logistical and ethical concerns.
In summary, the South Carolina Supreme Court's ruling allows executions by firing squad and other methods deemed cruel and unusual if requested by the inmate. This decision follows a 2021 law passed due to a shortage of lethal injection drugs and execution mishaps. Justice John Few emphasized that the law aims to make the death penalty less inhumane despite the potential risks of botched executions. Governor Henry McMaster praised the ruling, which is set to resume executions in the state.
