The South Carolina Supreme Court has given the green light to a trio of death penalty methods that would make even the most hardened criminal think twice. But before we dive into the gritty details, let’s take a moment to consider why this story matters to us. It’s about justice, closure for victims’ families, and the age-old question: How do we balance the scales of justice while maintaining our humanity?
The Ruling
The South Carolina Supreme Court has ruled that the state can execute death row inmates by firing squad, lethal injection, or electric chair. This decision potentially restarts executions in the state after more than a decade of inactivity, with the last execution taking place in 2011. Currently, there are 32 inmates on South Carolina’s death row who may be affected by this ruling.
The court’s decision comes after South Carolina created the option for a firing squad in 2021 due to difficulties obtaining lethal injection drugs. To address this issue, a shield law was passed in 2023 allowing the state to keep lethal injection drug suppliers secret, facilitating the acquisition of the sedative pentobarbital.
South Carolina can execute death row inmates by firing squad, lethal injection or the electric chair, the state's high court ruled Wednesday, opening the door to restart executions after more than a decade.
https://t.co/EHuRht7WYe— CBS Mornings (@CBSMornings) July 31, 2024
Perspectives on the Ruling
Governor Henry McMaster has expressed support for the court’s decision, viewing it as a step towards ensuring lawful sentences are carried out and providing closure for 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”
Justice John Few, in his ruling, stated that providing a choice among execution methods demonstrates lawmakers’ intent to minimize pain and make the death penalty less inhumane. He acknowledged the inherent challenges in carrying out capital punishment, noting:
“We start by acknowledging the reality that there is simply no elegant way to kill a man”
Opposition and Concerns
The American Civil Liberties Union of South Carolina has called for a ban on executions, citing them as costly, ineffective, and risky in potentially executing innocent individuals. Jace Woodrum of the ACLU-SC stated:
“Execution is a costly, ineffective form of cruel and unusual punishment that not only fails to make us safer but raises the possibility of the state killing innocent people in our name”
Critics also argue that the state’s methods lack transparency. Lindsey Vann, an attorney representing death row inmates, expressed concern about the lack of information provided to the condemned:
“No inmate in the country has ever been put to death with such little transparency about how he or she would be executed” – Lindsey Vann
Sources
- SC Supreme Court rules state death penalty, including firing squad, is legal
- South Carolina Supreme Court rules state death penalty including firing squad is legal
- South Carolina Supreme Court Approves Firing Squad, Other Execution Methods For Death Penalty
- S.C. Supreme Court upholds state executions, options on methods of death
- South Carolina Supreme Court upholds constitutionality of state’s 3 death penalty methods
- https://www.courthousenews.com/south-carolina-supreme-court-rules-firing-squad-legal-for-death-row-inmates/
- SC Supreme Court Document | Opinion
- South Carolina Supreme Court Rules Three Execution Methods Constitutional
- South Carolina Legislature Authorizes Use of Electric Chair and Firing Squad as State Reaches 10 Years Without an Execution
- South Carolina House adds firing squad to execution methods
