Key Takeaways:
- Mikal Mahdi, 42, is set to be executed by firing squad in South Carolina for the 2004 murder of an off-duty police officer.
- This is the second firing squad execution in the state this year and the 12th U.S. execution in 2023.
- Mahdi chose the firing squad over lethal injection or the electric chair.
- His lawyers argue his traumatic upbringing led to his crimes, but Governor Henry McMaster has denied clemency.
- The use of the firing squad as a method of execution is rare and controversial in the United States.
Execution by Firing Squad: A Rare and Controversial Punishment
On September 22, Mikal Mahdi, a 42-year-old man convicted of murdering an off-duty police officer in 2004, is scheduled to be executed by firing squad in South Carolina. This will be the state’s second firing squad execution this year and the 12th execution in the U.S. so far in 2023. The execution will take place at a prison in Columbia, the state capital, at 6:00 p.m.
Mahdi was convicted of killing James Myers, a 56-year-old police captain who was shot nine times after discovering Mahdi hiding in a shed on his property. Myers’ body was then set on fire. Just three days before this crime, Mahdi pleaded guilty to murdering a convenience store clerk.
South Carolina allows Death Row inmates to choose between three execution methods: lethal injection, the electric chair, or the firing squad. Mahdi opted for the firing squad, a method that has not been widely used in the U.S. in recent decades.
How the Firing Squad Execution Works
The firing squad execution process in South Carolina is carried out by a team of three volunteer shooters from the Department of Corrections. The condemned inmate is restrained in a chair and hooded before the execution. The shooters stand 15 feet away and fire at the inmate’s heart.
The first firing squad execution in the U.S. in 15 years took place in South Carolina on March 7, when a man convicted of murdering his ex-girlfriend’s parents was put to death. The use of the firing squad is controversial, with critics arguing it is an inhumane and outdated method of execution.
Mikal Mahdi’s Troubled Past and Request for Mercy
Mikal Mahdi’s lawyers have described his life as a “tragic story of a child abandoned at every step.” They say Mahdi’s mother left his abusive father when he was four years old, leaving him in the care of his volatile, mentally ill father. Between the ages of 14 and 21, Mahdi spent over 80% of his life in prison, enduring 8,000 hours in solitary confinement.
Mahdi’s lawyers argue that he is a changed man, deeply remorseful for his crimes. They describe him as very different from the “confused, angry, and abused youth” who committed the murders. Despite these pleas, Governor Henry McMaster has not granted Mahdi clemency. McMaster has denied all previous requests for leniency during his time in office.
The Death Penalty in the United States
The death penalty remains a hotly debated issue in the United States. While 23 states have abolished it, others like South Carolina continue to carry out executions. Most U.S. executions since 1976, when the Supreme Court reinstated the death penalty, have been performed using lethal injection. However, some states have turned to alternative methods, such as the electric chair, nitrogen gas, or the firing squad.
Alabama has executed four inmates using nitrogen gas, a method criticized by United Nations experts as cruel and inhumane. Meanwhile, states like California, Oregon, and Pennsylvania have placed moratoriums on the death penalty, effectively halting its use for the foreseeable future.
A Growing Trend?
The execution of Mikal Mahdi comes at a time when the death penalty is being discussed more widely in the U.S. So far this year, there have been 11 executions, down from 25 in 2022. Whether this trend continues or reverses remains to be seen.
Recent developments, such as President Donald Trump’s support for expanding the use of the death penalty “for the vilest crimes,” suggest that capital punishment could remain a contentious issue in the coming years. Attorney General Pam Bondi recently announced that federal prosecutors would seek the death penalty for Luigi Mangione, who is charged with the high-profile murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson in New York.
A Divisive Issue
The use of the firing squad as a method of execution has reignited debates about the ethics of capital punishment. Advocates argue that it is a quicker and more humane method than others, while opponents believe it is barbaric and outdated. As Mikal Mahdi’s execution approaches, the spotlight will once again fall on South Carolina’s use of this controversial practice.
The case also raises questions about the role of upbringing and mental health in criminal behavior. Mahdi’s lawyers argue that his traumatic childhood and years of solitary confinement contributed to his actions. However, these arguments have not swayed the state’s leaders, who are moving forward with the execution.
As the U.S. continues to grapple with the complexities of the death penalty, the execution of Mikal Mahdi serves as a stark reminder of the high stakes and deeply personal nature of these decisions. Whether you support or oppose capital punishment, the story of Mikal Mahdi and James Myers is a tragic reminder of the consequences of violence and the difficult choices societies face when dealing with crime.