In a significant legal development, the South Carolina Supreme Court has approved the use of firing squads and electrocution for carrying out executions. This decision follows a 2021 law enacted to address the scarcity of lethal injection drugs, which had stalled the execution process.
Justice John Few, in his opinion, highlighted the state’s commitment to less inhumane execution methods despite inherent risks. “The inescapable reality that an execution by any method may not go as planned… does not render the method ‘cruel’ under the constitution,” he wrote.
South Carolina becomes one of the few states to permit execution by firing squad, a method rarely used since 1976, except in Utah. The court’s ruling removes the legal obstacles that had previously halted these methods due to inmate lawsuits.
Gov. Henry McMaster praised the court’s decision, emphasizing its importance for upholding justice. “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,” McMaster said.
The state has not executed anyone since 2011, and there are currently 32 inmates on death row. The approval of these alternative execution methods aims to ensure that death sentences are carried out despite the challenges posed by the unavailability of lethal injection drugs.
The ruling has reignited the debate over the ethics of execution methods. Advocates argue that these methods ensure the enforcement of the death penalty, while critics highlight the potential for inhumane executions. Despite the controversy, the court’s decision establishes a clear legal path for resuming executions in South Carolina.
As the state moves forward with these approved methods, the broader discussion on the death penalty’s implementation and ethical considerations is expected to continue. South Carolina’s decision reflects the ongoing challenges and complexities in administering capital punishment.
