A second death row inmate in South Carolina has opted for execution by firing squad. Mikal Mahdi, 41, is scheduled to be executed on April 11. He was sentenced to death after pleading guilty to the murder of a police officer back in 2004.
Mahdi’s choice comes amid a controversial debate over execution methods. His lawyer, David Weiss, stated that Mahdi felt he was faced with "barbaric and inhumane choices." He believes the firing squad is the lesser of three evils compared to the electric chair or lethal injection, which he described as potentially painful and prolonged.
This decision follows the execution of Brad Sigmon, who was shot to death by firing squad on March 7. Sigmon became the first person executed in this manner in the U.S. in 15 years. He was pronounced dead shortly after the execution, with reports indicating it took less than three minutes.
Mahdi’s case involves a series of violent crimes. In July 2004, he stole a gun and a car in Virginia. The next day, he shot and killed a store clerk in North Carolina. Shortly after, he carjacked another vehicle in South Carolina. On July 18, while hiding out in a shed, he ambushed Officer James Myers, shooting him multiple times, including twice in the head. After the murder, Mahdi set Myers’ body on fire before fleeing.
Only three other inmates have been executed by firing squad in the U.S. since 1976, all in Utah. Mahdi’s execution will take place at a prison in Columbia, South Carolina. The state has seen a surge in executions recently, with Mahdi’s case marking the fifth execution in less than seven months.
Mahdi’s story highlights ongoing discussions about capital punishment and the methods used in executions. As the date approaches, it remains to be seen how public opinion will shape the future of such practices in South Carolina and beyond.