Brad Keith Sigmon, a 67-year-old double murderer convicted of the brutal killings of his ex-girlfriend’s parents in 2001, is set to make history as the first inmate executed by firing squad in the US since 2010. As the clock ticks down to 6 PM EST, Sigmon awaits his fate at the Broad River Correctional Institute in Columbia, South Carolina, where he is scheduled to face the firing squad. His attorney, Bo King, continues to advocate for Sigmon’s mental health struggles, pleading for clemency, citing documented psychotic breaks and incompetency during the trial as reasons to delay the execution.
The Battle for Clemency: A Desperate Plea
Sigmon’s mental health history has been a focal point of the battle for clemency, with his attorney emphasizing the severity of his documented psychotic break and lack of competency during the trial. Despite these arguments, the South Carolina Supreme Court has rejected Sigmon’s final appeal, leaving the decision in the hands of Governor Henry McMaster. With no South Carolina governor having granted clemency since the reinstatement of the death penalty in 1976, the odds of a last-minute stay of execution seem slim.
The Choice of the Firing Squad: A Harrowing Decision
Given the choice between lethal injection, the electric chair, or the firing squad, Sigmon opted for the latter. His attorney argued that he was not adequately informed about the lethal injection process and expressed fear of the extreme pain associated with electrocution. Concerns over botched lethal injections also factored into his decision, with King referencing past executions where inmates remained alive for extended periods. The fear of expired or improperly administered drugs leading to a prolonged, agonizing death weighed heavily on Sigmon’s mind.
What to Expect in a Firing Squad Execution
In the upcoming execution, Sigmon will be placed in a chair with a hood covering his head and a target over his heart. Three volunteer executioners positioned 15 feet away will fire live rounds at his chest, a method that has seen rare use in modern US executions. Fordham Law Professor Deborah Denno, an expert on capital punishment, highlighted the efficiency of the firing squad method, noting that it is the quickest way to induce death.
The Gruesome Murders that Led to Death Row
Sigmon’s descent into infamy began on April 27, 2001, when he mercilessly murdered his ex-girlfriend’s parents, David and Gladys Larke, inside their home. Fueled by drugs and alcohol, he unleashed his rage on the elderly couple, delivering fatal blows with a baseball bat. His ex-girlfriend, Rebecca Barbare, narrowly escaped his clutches, surviving the harrowing ordeal.
Trial, Conviction, and a Decades-Long Legal Battle
Following his arrest and trial, Sigmon was convicted of two counts of murder and first-degree burglary, ultimately receiving a death sentence. Despite two decades of legal battles and appeals, the courts have upheld his sentence, leading to the impending execution. The case has reignited debates over the death penalty, with critics questioning the humanity of execution methods and advocating for considerations of mental health in sentencing.
As the nation prepares for its first firing squad execution in over a decade, the conversation surrounding the ethics of capital punishment in the US remains ongoing, with Sigmon’s case serving as a stark reminder of the complex moral and legal dilemmas surrounding the ultimate form of punishment.
