News Summary
In a contentious execution, South Carolina executed Mikal Mahdi by firing squad, raising questions about the method’s humanity and procedural integrity. Mahdi, who was convicted of murdering an off-duty officer, exhibited distress during the execution. Debates intensify regarding the ethics of capital punishment as advocates call for reevaluation of execution methods amid Mahdi’s case and similar instances.
South Carolina executed Mikal Mahdi by firing squad on April 11, 2025, marking the state’s second execution by this method within a span of five weeks. The execution comes amid rising scrutiny regarding the humaneness and constitutionality of this method and the procedures followed.
Mahdi was sentenced to death for the murder of off-duty officer James Myers in 2004. He also had a prior murder conviction. In his own admission, Mahdi shot Myers at least eight times before burning his body. His execution took place less than four minutes after shots were fired, with Mahdi being pronounced dead at 6:05 p.m.
As part of his last meal, Mahdi requested ribeye steak, mushroom risotto, broccoli, collard greens, cheesecake, and sweet tea. During the execution, witnesses reported disturbing reactions from Mahdi, who cried out and flexed his arms as the bullets hit him. Reports also indicated that he groaned approximately 45 seconds after being shot and continued to take breaths for approximately 80 seconds after the initial execution.
The execution was performed by three prison employees from a distance of 15 feet. Following Mahdi’s execution, his legal team filed a complaint asserting that the execution was botched. Autopsy records suggested that only two of the three bullets fired struck Mahdi, and neither effectively hit the heart, potentially causing him to suffer for up to a minute due to a failure to quickly disable him.
In contrast, the South Carolina Department of Corrections (SCDC) claimed that all the bullets had struck Mahdi’s heart, disputing the allegations of a botched procedure by his legal team. However, no bullet fragments were found in the execution chamber, leading to further questions about whether the execution adhered to established protocols.
Mahdi was the fifth inmate executed in South Carolina since September 2024 after a lengthy pause in executions due to difficulties in sourcing lethal injection drugs. The option of execution by firing squad was introduced following a 2021 law that allowed condemned inmates to choose between lethal injection, electric chair, or firing squad.
Despite Mahdi’s conviction for a heinous crime, his legal representatives argued that his original defense was deficient. They claimed that vital aspects of Mahdi’s traumatic background and mental health issues were not adequately presented during his initial trial, which should have been considered in determining his culpability.
The aftermath of Mahdi’s execution has led to significant debate regarding the methods and ethics of capital punishment in the U.S. Following both Mahdi and Brad Sigmon’s executions, concerns have been raised about the humane treatment of inmates facing the death penalty and the procedural integrity surrounding such executions.
The state’s approach to capital punishment is under intense scrutiny as advocates on both sides call for new evaluations of execution methods. Opponents of the death penalty continue to question the moral and ethical implications while supporters argue in favor of its continued use for the most severe crimes. As this conversation unfolds, the actions and protocols of the South Carolina Department of Corrections will undoubtedly remain in the spotlight.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
- The Guardian
- Wikipedia: Capital punishment in the United States
- AP News
- Google Search: South Carolina firing squad execution
- NBC News
- Google Scholar: Firing squad execution
- Fox News
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Firing squad
- CBS News
- Google News: Firing squad execution
Author: HERE Greenwood
GREENWOOD STAFF WRITER The GREENWOOD STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREGreenwood.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Greenwood, Greenwood County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Festival of Flowers, Greenwood Community Theatre performances, and agricultural showcases at the Greenwood County Fairgrounds. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greenwood Chamber of Commerce and the Greater Greenwood United Ministry, plus leading businesses in manufacturing and healthcare that power the local economy such as FujiFilm Manufacturing and Self Regional Healthcare. As part of the broader HERE network, including HERECharleston.com, HEREColumbia.com, HEREGreenville.com, and HEREHiltonHead.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into South Carolina's dynamic landscape.
