The South Carolina Supreme Court has ruled in favor of allowing executions by firing squad and electrocution, following the 2021 law that introduced these methods. This decision, paused due to legal challenges from inmates on death row, aims to address the ongoing issue of lethal injection drug shortages.
Justice John Few, writing for the court, emphasized that while no execution method is perfect, the state’s effort to ensure executions are carried out in a less inhumane manner is valid. He stated, “The inescapable reality that an execution by any method may not go as planned… does not render the method ‘cruel’ under the constitution.”
South Carolina now joins a small group of states permitting execution by firing squad, with Utah being the only state to have used this method since 1976, totaling three times. The approval reflects the state’s determination to enforce death sentences despite logistical challenges.
Gov. Henry McMaster welcomed the ruling, asserting that it upholds the legal system and brings justice to victims’ families. “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 commented.
The state has not carried out an execution since 2011, with 32 inmates currently on death row. The introduction of firing squads and electrocution as alternatives to lethal injection is expected to facilitate the resumption of executions.
The court’s ruling has sparked discussions about the ethical implications of these methods. Proponents argue that it ensures the execution of sentences, while opponents raise concerns about the potential for inhumane outcomes. Nonetheless, South Carolina’s legal framework now includes these options, setting a precedent for other states facing similar challenges.
As South Carolina moves forward with these new execution methods, the debate over their humanity and ethics is likely to continue. The state’s decision underscores the ongoing complexities of implementing the death penalty in the modern era.
