South Carolina Supreme Court rules death penalty by firing squad, other methods, legal
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SUMMARY
The South Carolina Supreme Court ruled Wednesday that execution by firing squad and other previously contested methods are permissible if requested by the inmate. This decision follows a 2021 law that introduced firing squad and electrocution as alternatives to lethal injection, which has become scarce due to drug shortages. The law also established electrocution as the default execution method. Despite opposition from death row inmates, the conservative-majority court sided with state prosecutors. This ruling could lead to the resumption of executions in South Carolina, where none have occurred since 2011, with 32 inmates currently on death row. Governor Henry McMaster praised the ruling, stating it upholds the rule of law and offers justice to victims' families.
