Latest news with #DPIC
Daily Mirror
14 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
‘I watched innocent man die in Death Row gas chamber – his last words haunt me'
Lawyer Clive Stafford Smith represented dozens of inmates on Death Row and claims he watched an innocent man die - and that US prisons are using black market drugs to carry out executions A former Death Row lawyer says he watched an innocent man choke to death in a gas chamber - and claims the US is now using illegal drugs to carry out executions. Clive Stafford Smith, who has represented dozens of inmates on Death Row, lost two clients to the electric chair, two to lethal injection and two in the gas chamber - including Edward Earl Johnson, executed in 1987 for the murder of a policeman and sexual assault of a woman. Johnson has always maintained his innocence. According to Smith, a woman later came forward claiming she was with Johnson at the time of the killing - but police ignored her statement. Though now retired from Death Row law, Smith continues to campaign against capital punishment. But the tragedy of Johnson, who was just 27 at the time, still haunts him today and he recalls the last thing he told him before 'choking to death'. Smith, who is British, said: 'I walked into the gas chamber with Edward. He choked to death over quite a long time, about 15 minutes. That's not really the issue, the issue was that he was locked up as a young black male in Mississippi when he was 18, and he was killed eight years later. 'I walked him into the chair, gave him a hug and he whispered in my ear 'is there something you know I don't know?' He genuinely thought they still wouldn't kill him. They then strapped him into the chair. They did it really tightly so that you couldn't see the poor guy thrashing around. 'The witnesses are behind the chair, so they can't see him. So they can't see what he's going through.' He added: 'I can see him in my mind's eye. He was the next person killed in Mississippi before they got rid of the gas chamber. I went to his funeral after his death and this woman, Mary, came up to me and she said 'well, I know Edward didn't do that because I was with him at the time'. 'I was really taken aback and I said, well, why didn't you tell someone? And she said, I did, I went to the police and they told me to buzz off and mind my own business.' Through his nonprofit, the Justice League, Stafford now works with young people and human rights. He says the recent news of botched executions doesn't surprise him. In April, South Carolina man, Mikal Madhi, suffered a prolonged death after being killed by a firing squad. An autopsy found that shooters had missed the target on his heart, causing the 42-year-old to suffer longer than the expected window of 10 to 15 seconds. Retired executioner Ron Andrews was left needing 13 years of therapy after watching Cuban refugee Pedro Medina, who claims he was innocent, 'burn to death' over a malfunctioning electric chair. In 2022 a report from the Death Penalty Information Center (DPIC) claimed a third of executions that year were botched or highly problematic. Smith says he's not at all surprised by a string of reports of botched executions. He claims because pharmaceutical companies do not want their drugs used for them, the US is turning to black market drugs for lethal injections. He added: 'I was surprised, when I first got involved, about botched lethal injections because that was sold to us back in the late 70s, early 80s as a gentler form of execution. 'I think a lot of us bought into that at the time, but then I had two of my clients who I watched die in front of me and I've had six who've died, but two were on the gurney. It became pretty clear that things weren't going as people advertised.' He added: 'It's totally true black market drugs are being used. This was done by a student without my permission. I'm so proud of her. The US states got so desperate to get the right drugs to kill people that they were going to China and India, and they're illegally trying to import them." 'And so this young woman called up the Chinese and pretended to be an executing state and said, 'could you get us some drugs?' This was all off her own bat. I didn't tell her to do this [...] but it turned out very well. She talked to this person and they said, 'we can send you some execution drugs, we'll send it in the diplomatic bag'. 'Then they went on to say - and you just can't make this stuff up - that if you want a special thing to make sure it doesn't get discovered, we could put it in some teddy bears and send it in the diplomatic bag that way.' The number of executions in the US hit 25 in June this year, matching the total for all of 2024, according to UK-based anti-death penalty group Reprieve. The organisation raised concerns over black market drugs used in lethal injections, as President Trump reintroduced the death penalty after returning to office. Matt Wells, deputy director of Reprieve US, said: "The message being sent from the top is clear: President Trump wants to see more people being executed, and with most federal death sentences commuted, in the short-term at least that means more executions at the state level. "As states rush to kill, ignoring red flags that their execution protocols are a recipe for torture, there is every danger we'll witness more prisoners dying in agony. Evidence shows that executions scheduled in haste are more likely to go wrong. Speeding up the machinery of death may seem politically expedient in the age of Trump, but in practice, it leads to more slow and painful deaths on the gurney.'
Yahoo
08-03-2025
- Yahoo
In a first for the state, South Carolina executes man by firing squad
A South Carolina death row inmate was executed by a firing squad Friday night, the Associated Press reported. It's a controversial and rarely used execution method that's legal but viewed by many Americans as an inhumane form of justice. Brad Sigmon, 67, chose last month to be executed by firing squad. He was convicted in 2001 of killing his ex-girlfriend's parents at their home. Prosecutors said Sigmon also held his ex-girlfriend at gunpoint and attempted to kidnap her, but she escaped. He shot at her as she ran but missed. Sigmon's execution took place at 6 p.m. ET on Friday, March 7, and he was pronounced dead at 6:08 p.m. It was South Carolina's first death by firing squad, which was legalized in the state in 2021. See for yourself — The Yodel is the go-to source for daily news, entertainment and feel-good stories. By signing up, you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy. South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster denied Sigmon's clemency plea to reduce his sentence to life without parole. In the 49 years since the state reinstated the death penalty, no governor has granted clemency. On Tuesday, the South Carolina Supreme Court also rejected an appeal from Sigmon to delay the execution because he said he didn't know enough about the lethal injection option. Since 1976, there have been only three executions by firing squad in the United States, and they all occurred in Utah. Sigmon's execution is the first time in over 15 years that a U.S. inmate was shot to death as an execution method. According to the Associated Press, Sigmon's attorney, Gerald King, said in a statement that his client acknowledged a firing squad execution would be a violent death, but he considered it to be the best option available. Electrocution, King said, would 'burn and cook" Sgimon alive, while lethal injection would mean risking "the prolonged death suffered by all three of the men South Carolina has executed since September — three men Brad knew and cared about — who remained alive, strapped to a gurney, for more than 20 minutes." An execution by firing squad, according to the Death Penalty Information Center, usually involves the prisoner bound in a chair in front of a wall. The prisoner can speak any last and final words before a firing squad stands in an enclosure about 20 feet away from the prisoner. Sandbags are placed near the chair to keep bullets from ricocheting around the room. In accordance with South Carolina's rules, three volunteer employees from the Department of Corrections were all armed with weapons loaded with live ammunition. The prisoner typically dies as a result of blood loss caused by a rupture of the heart or a large blood vessel, the DPIC website states. In the nation's history, 34 people have been executed by firing squad, according to data from the DPIC. It's the only method of execution that has a 0% botched rate. Comparatively, death by lethal injection has the most botched execution rate at 7.12%. Prior to Sigmon's execution, the most recent death by firing squad was in 2010, when 49-year-old Ronnie Lee Gardner was executed in Salt Lake County. He was declared dead two minutes after he was shot. The following five states have authorized execution by firing squad in certain cases: Idaho: Lethal injection is the primary method of execution under state law, but if the director of the Idaho Department of Corrections determines it's unavailable, then a firing squad will be used. Mississippi: A 2022 state law allows corrections officials to choose their preferred execution method — either lethal injection, electrocution, firing squad or nitrogen hypoxia. Oklahoma: If other methods like lethal injection, nitrogen hypoxia or electrocution are determined to be unconstitutional or otherwise unavailable, then death by firing squad is an authorized execution method under state law. South Carolina: State law says a prisoner can choose their method of execution: electrocution, firing squad or lethal injection. Utah: If lethal injection drugs are unavailable, or if a court finds the use to be unconstitutional, then death by firing squad will be the method of execution, according to state law.
Yahoo
06-03-2025
- Yahoo
South Carolina inmate has chosen to die by firing squad. If carried out tomorrow, it will be the 1st in the state.
A South Carolina death row inmate has chosen to die by firing squad, a controversial and rarely used execution method that's legal but viewed as an inhumane form of justice by many Americans. Brad Sigmon, 67, is scheduled to be executed on March 7. He was convicted in 2001 of killing his ex-girlfriend's parents at their home. Prosecutors said Sigmon also held his ex-girlfriend at gunpoint and attempted to kidnap her, but she escaped. He shot at her as she ran but missed. Sigmon's execution Friday will be South Carolina's first death by firing squad, which was legalized in the state in 2021. His life may be spared if South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster reduces his sentence to life without parole. McMaster will make the decision moments before the execution is set to take place, the Associated Press reports. In the 49 years since the state reinstated the death penalty, no governor has granted clemency. See for yourself — The Yodel is the go-to source for daily news, entertainment and feel-good stories. By signing up, you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy. On Tuesday, the South Carolina Supreme Court rejected an appeal from Sigmon to delay the execution because he didn't know enough about the lethal injection option. Since 1976, there have been only three executions by firing squad, and they all occurred in Utah. If carried out, Sigmon's execution will be the first time in over 15 years that a U.S. inmate will be shot to death as an execution method. According to the Associated Press, Sigmon's attorney, Gerald King, said in a statement that his client acknowledges a firing squad execution will be a violent death, but he considers it to be the best option available. Electrocution, King said, would 'burn and cook him alive," while choosing lethal injection would mean risking "the prolonged death suffered by all three of the men South Carolina has executed since September — three men Brad knew and cared about — who remained alive, strapped to a gurney, for more than 20 minutes." An execution by firing squad, according to the Death Penalty Information Center, usually involves the prisoner bound in a chair in front of a wall. The prisoner can speak any last and final words before a firing squad stands in an enclosure about 20 feet away from the prisoner. Sandbags are placed near the chair to keep bullets from ricocheting around the room. In accordance with South Carolina's rules, three volunteer employees from the Department of Corrections are all armed with weapons loaded with live ammunition. The prisoner typically dies as a result of blood loss caused by a rupture of the heart or a large blood vessel, the DPIC website states. In the United States, 34 people have been executed by firing squad, according to data from the DPIC. It's the only method of execution that has a 0% botched rate. Comparatively, death by lethal injection has the most botched execution rate at 7.12%. The most recent death by firing squad was in 2010, when 49-year-old Ronnie Lee Gardner was executed in Salt Lake County. He was declared dead two minutes after he was shot. The following five states have authorized execution by firing squad in certain cases: Idaho: Lethal injection is the primary method of execution under state law, but if the director of the Idaho Department of Corrections determines it's unavailable, then a firing squad will be used. Mississippi: A 2022 state law allows corrections officials to choose their preferred execution method — either lethal injection, electrocution, firing squad or nitrogen hypoxia. Oklahoma: If other methods like lethal injection, nitrogen hypoxia or electrocution are determined to be unconstitutional or otherwise unavailable, then death by firing squad is an authorized execution method under state law. South Carolina: State law says a prisoner can choose their method of execution: electrocution, firing squad or lethal injection. Utah: If lethal injection drugs are unavailable, or if a court finds the use to be unconstitutional, then death by firing squad will be the method of execution, according to state law.
Yahoo
06-03-2025
- Yahoo
South Carolina inmate has chosen to die by firing squad. If carried out tomorrow, it will be the first in the state.
A South Carolina death row inmate has chosen to die by firing squad, a controversial and rarely used execution method that's legal but viewed as an inhumane form of justice by many Americans. Brad Sigmon, 67, is scheduled to be executed on March 7. He was convicted in 2001 of killing his ex-girlfriend's parents at their home. Prosecutors said Sigmon also held his ex-girlfriend at gunpoint and attempted to kidnap her, but she escaped. He shot at her as she ran but missed. Sigmon's execution tomorrow will be South Carolina's first death by firing squad, which was legalized in the state in 2021. His life may be spared if South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster reduces his sentence to life without parole. McMaster will make the decision moments before the execution is set to take place, the Associated Press reports. In the 49 years since the state reinstated the death penalty, no governor has granted clemency. On Tuesday, the South Carolina Supreme Court rejected an appeal from Sigmon to delay the execution because he didn't know enough about the lethal injection option. Since 1976, there have only been three executions by firing squad, and they all occurred in Utah. If carried out, Sigmon's execution will be the first time in over 15 years that a U.S. inmate will be shot to death as an execution method. According to the Associated Press, Sigmon's attorney, Gerald King, said in a statement that his client acknowledges a firing squad execution will be a violent death, but he considers it to be the best option available. Electrocution, King said, would 'burn and cook him alive," while choosing lethal injection would mean risking "the prolonged death suffered by all three of the men South Carolina has executed since September — three men Brad knew and cared about — who remained alive, strapped to a gurney, for more than 20 minutes." An execution by firing squad, according to the Death Penalty Information Center, usually involves the prisoner bound in a chair in front of a wall. The prisoner can speak any last and final words before a firing squad stands in an enclosure about 20 feet away from the prisoner. Sandbags are placed near the chair to keep bullets from ricocheting around the room. In accordance with South Carolina's rules, three volunteer employees from the Department of Corrections are all armed with weapons loaded with live ammunition. The prisoner typically dies as a result of blood loss caused by a rupture of the heart or a large blood vessel, the DPIC website states. In the U.S., 34 people have been executed by firing squad, according to data from the DPIC. It's the only method of execution that has a 0% botched rate. Comparatively, death by lethal injection has the most botched execution rate at 7.12%. The most recent death by firing squad was in 2010, when 49-year-old Ronnie Lee Gardner was executed in Salt Lake County, Utah. He was declared dead two minutes after he was shot. The following five states have authorized execution by firing squad in certain cases: Idaho: Lethal injection is the primary method of execution under state law, but if the director of the Idaho Department of Corrections determines it's unavailable, then a firing squad will be used. Mississippi: A 2022 state law allows corrections officials to choose their preferred execution method — either lethal injection, electrocution, firing squad or nitrogen hypoxia. Oklahoma: If other methods like lethal injection, nitrogen hypoxia or electrocution are determined to be unconstitutional or otherwise unavailable, then death by firing squad is an authorized execution method under state law. South Carolina: State law says a prisoner can choose their method of execution: electrocution, firing squad or lethal injection. Utah: If lethal injection drugs are unavailable, or if a court finds the use to be unconstitutional, then death by firing squad will be the method of execution, according to state law.
Yahoo
21-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
South Carolina inmate has chosen to die by firing squad. If carried out next month, it will be the first in the state.
A South Carolina death row inmate has chosen to die by firing squad, a controversial and rarely used execution method that's legal but is viewed as an inhumane form of justice by many Americans. Brad Sigmon, 67, is scheduled to be executed on March 7. He was convicted in 2001 of killing his ex-girlfriend's parents at their home. Prosecutors said Sigmon also held his ex-girlfriend at gunpoint and attempted to kidnap her, but she escaped. He shot at her as she ran, but missed. Sigmon's execution next month will be South Carolina's first death by firing squad, which was legalized in the state in 2021. Sigmon didn't choose electrocution because it would 'burn and cook him alive,' his attorney, Gerald King, said in a statement, according to the Associated Press. See for yourself — The Yodel is the go-to source for daily news, entertainment and feel-good stories. By signing up, you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy. King says Sigmon acknowledges firing squad execution will be a violent death. "If he chose lethal injection,' King said, 'he risked the prolonged death suffered by all three of the men South Carolina has executed since September — three men Brad knew and cared about — who remained alive, strapped to a gurney, for more than 20 minutes." Since 1976, there have only been three executions by firing squad, and they all occurred in Utah. If carried out, Sigmon's execution will be the first time in over 15 years that a U.S. inmate will be shot to death as an execution method. His life may be spared if South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster reduces his sentence to life without parole. In the 49 years since the state reinstated the death penalty, no governor has granted clemency. An execution by firing squad, according to the Death Penalty Information Center, usually involves the prisoner bound in a chair in front of a wall. The prisoner can speak any last and final words before a firing squad stands in an enclosure about 20 feet away from the prisoner. Sandbags are placed near the chair to keep bullets from ricocheting around the room. In accordance with South Carolina's rules, three volunteer employees from the Department of Corrections are all armed with weapons loaded with live ammunition. The prisoner typically dies as a result of blood loss caused by a rupture of the heart or a large blood vessel, the DPIC website states. In the U.S., 34 people have been executed by firing squad, according to data from the DPIC. It's the only method of execution that has a 0% botched rate. Comparatively, death by lethal injection has the most botched execution rate at 7.12%. The most recent death by firing squad was in 2010, when 49-year-old Ronnie Lee Gardner was executed in Salt Lake County, Utah. He was declared dead two minutes after he was shot. The following five states have authorized execution by firing squad in certain cases: Idaho: Lethal injection is the primary method of execution under state law, but if the director of the Idaho Department of Corrections determines it's unavailable, then a firing squad will be used. Mississippi: A 2022 state law allows corrections officials to choose their preferred execution method — either lethal injection, electrocution, firing squad or nitrogen hypoxia. Oklahoma: If other methods like lethal injection, nitrogen hypoxia or electrocution are determined to be unconstitutional or otherwise unavailable, then death by firing squad is an authorized execution method under state law. South Carolina: State law says a prisoner can choose their method of execution: electrocution, firing squad or lethal injection. Utah: If lethal injection drugs are unavailable, or if a court finds the use to be unconstitutional, then death by firing squad will be the method of execution, according to state law.
