Controversial execution in the US: Inmate chose firing squad

67-year-old US inmate Brad Sigmon, who was convicted and sentenced to death for murdering his ex-girlfriend's parents in 2001, has been executed by firing squad. In a statement released by the South Carolina Department of Corrections, it was noted that Sigmon chose the firing squad over lethal injection or the electric chair for his execution. It was announced that the sentence was carried out by three volunteer executioners and that Sigmon was pronounced dead at 18:08 local time.

"HE CHOSE WHAT WAS BEST FOR HIM"

The inmate's attorney, Geral Bo King, stated that his client was forced to choose between the "barbaric" execution methods applied in the state. King said, "If he had not chosen lethal injection or the firing squad, he would have died in South Carolina's old electric chair, which would have burned him alive. But the alternative is equally horrific." Emphasizing that lethal injections in the state take a long time, the attorney added, "If he had chosen lethal injection, he would have risked dying in agony for a long time, just like the three inmates executed since September." King added, "The only remaining option was the firing squad. Brad knew very well the effect that being shot would have on his body. He chose what was best for him."

A FIRST IN 15 YEARS

Sigmon became the fourth inmate to be executed by firing squad since the death penalty was reinstated in the US in 1976. Previously, three inmates had been executed by firing squad, all in the state of Utah. This method has been used for the first time since the execution of Ronnie Gardner in 2010.

News Source: İHA