The state of South Carolina adopted inmate execution by firing squad. They adopted the execution method “after a decade-long pause in carrying out executions” because they couldn’t acquire lethal injection drugs.
According to the “South Carolinas Corrections Department,” they have completed all the renovations on the death compartment in Columbia. The agency added that they notified the State’s Attorney General that the facility will carry out “a firing-squad execution.”
State lawmakers sought to change the state’s law on lethal injection execution when there was a shortage by implementing other means of execution.
Legislation adopted in may makes execution using the electric chair the primary technique to execute individuals. The legislation also allows the convicts to choose execution methods among firing squad, electric chair, or lethal injection.
Dick Harpootlian, democratic state senator, pitched the firing squad execution option during “South Carolinas lengthy debate.” Harpootlian presented execution by firing as “the least painful” process.
“The death penalty is going to stay the law here for a while,” he said. “If we’re going to have it, it ought to be humane.”
Officials reported that “the death chamber now also includes a metal chair, with restraints, in the corner of the room where inmates will sit if they choose execution by firing squad. The chair faces a wall with a rectangular opening, 15 feet away, through which the three shooters will fire their weapons”.
Representatives created procedures for the execution. Three volunteer executers, all correction facility workers, will have aimed at the inmate’s heart using guns loaded with live bullets. The convict will have a black hood over his head. Before the execution, the inmate can make his last remarks.
Sources:
