1 month, 3 weeks ago

Death penalty in focus as South Carolina plans third execution in four months

South Carolina is preparing to execute the third inmate to be put to death since September as the state goes through a backlog of prisoners who exhausted their appeals while the state couldn’t find lethal injection drugs. No governor in the previous 45 executions in South Carolina since capital punishment was reinstated in 1976 has given mercy and reduced a death sentence to life in prison without parole. An anesthesiologist said he fears South Carolina’s secret lethal injection protocols don’t take into account Bowman is listed as 389 pounds in prison records. But since the unintentional execution pause, South Carolina’s death row population has dwindled.

Death Penalty Prison South Carolina South State Carolina Inmates Martin Death Row Prison Officials Bowman Execution carolina officials inmates south execution state prison months plans bowman death penalty focus pause

History of this topic

1 week, 4 days ago

A look at the status of US executions in 2025

Associated Press

Six men have died by court-ordered execution so far this year in the U.S., and 12 other people are scheduled to be put to death in six states during the remainder of 2025. The other states with scheduled executions this year are Ohio, Tennessee and Texas, though Ohio’s governor has been routinely postponing the actions as their dates near. A …

2 weeks, 2 days ago

A first in 15 years, US executes Brad Sigmon by firing squad for 2002 double murder

Firstpost

Sigmon’s lawyers said he chose the firing squad because the electric chair would ‘cook him alive,’ and he feared that a lethal injection of pentobarbital into his veins would send a rush of fluid and blood into his lungs and drown him A South Carolina man who murdered his ex-girlfriend’s parents with a baseball bat was executed by firing squad. …

South Carolina man executed by firing squad is first US prisoner killed this way in 15 years

New Indian Express

COLUMBIA: A South Carolina man who killed his ex-girlfriend's parents with a baseball bat was executed by firing squad Friday, the first U.S. prisoner in 15 years to die by that method, which he saw as preferable to the electric chair or lethal injection. Three volunteer prison employees used rifles to carry out the execution of Brad Sigmon, 67, who …

2 weeks, 2 days ago

South Carolina executes Brad Sigmon by firing squad, first US execution of its kind in 15 years

India Today

South Carolina carried out its first firing squad execution in 15 years on Friday, executing 67-year-old Brad Sigmon. Three volunteer prison employees fired rifles, and Sigmon was pronounced dead at 6:08 p.m. Sigmon was convicted of brutally killing his ex-girlfriend’s parents in 2001 using a baseball bat in their Greenville County home. Sigmon’s last statement and final meal Sigmon’s attorney …

South Carolina man, convicted of murder, becomes first U.S. prisoner executed by firing squad in 15 years

Trending News

2 weeks, 2 days ago

South Carolina man, convicted of murder, becomes first U.S. prisoner executed by firing squad in 15 years

The Hindu

A South Carolina man convicted of murder was executed by firing squad Friday, the first U.S. prisoner to die by that method in 15 years. Sigmon’s lawyers said he chose the firing squad because the electric chair would “cook him alive,” and he feared that a lethal injection of pentobarbital into his veins would send a rush of fluid and …

A South Carolina man executed by firing squad is the first US prisoner killed this way in 15 years

Associated Press

COLUMBIA, S.C. — A South Carolina man who killed his ex-girlfriend’s parents with a baseball bat was executed by firing squad Friday, the first U.S. prisoner in 15 years to die by that method, which he saw as preferable to the electric chair or lethal injection. Vivian Lovingood protests the scheduled execution of South Carolina inmate Brad Sigmon, Friday, March …

2 weeks, 3 days ago

South Carolina man executed by firing squad, first in U.S. in 15 years

LA Times

Protesters opposed to the death penalty rally shortly before Brad Sigmon was executed in Columbia, S.C., on Friday. A South Carolina man who killed his ex-girlfriend’s parents with a baseball bat was executed by firing squad Friday, the first U.S. prisoner in 15 years to die by that method, which he saw as preferable to the electric chair or lethal …

2 weeks, 4 days ago

South Carolina Supreme Court rejects man's final appeal, clearing way for firing squad execution

New Indian Express

COLUMBIA: The South Carolina Supreme Court has rejected what is likely the final appeal of condemned man Brad Sigmon, clearing the way for Friday's firing squad execution. Sigmon's lawyers wanted to delay his death so they could get a fuller hearing in court to learn more information about the drug South Carolina uses in lethal injections. Sigmon's attorneys also argued …

2 weeks, 4 days ago

South Carolina Supreme Court rejects man's final appeal, clearing way for firing squad execution

Hindustan Times

COLUMBIA, S.C. — The South Carolina Supreme Court has rejected what is likely the final appeal of condemned man Brad Sigmon, clearing the way for Friday's firing squad execution. South Carolina Supreme Court rejects man's final appeal, clearing way for firing squad execution Sigmon's lawyers wanted to delay his death so they could get a fuller hearing in court to …

2 weeks, 4 days ago

South Carolina Supreme Court rejects man’s final appeal, clearing way for firing squad execution

Associated Press

COLUMBIA, S.C. — The South Carolina Supreme Court has rejected what is likely the final appeal of condemned man Brad Sigmon, clearing the way for Friday’s firing squad execution. Sigmon’s lawyers wanted to delay his death so they could get a fuller hearing in court to learn more information about the drug South Carolina uses in lethal injections. Lawyers for …

3 weeks, 4 days ago

South Carolina man set to face a firing squad seeks postponement, questioning execution procedures

Associated Press

COLUMBIA, S.C. — A South Carolina man who is scheduled to die next week by firing squad is again asking that his execution be postponed and prison officials release more information about the state’s lethal injection drug and procedures. Sigmon’s attorney said autopsy results from Marion Bowman’s Jan. 31 execution released earlier this week showed he needed twice the dose …

1 month ago

Condemned South Carolina killer chooses firing squad execution in what would be first use of that method in US in 15 years

CNN

Columbia, South Carolina AP — Condemned South Carolina inmate Brad Sigmon has chosen to die next month by a firing squad, a method of execution that has not been used in the US in 15 years. On Friday, he became the first South Carolina inmate to choose the state’s new firing squad over lethal injection or the electric chair. “If …

1 month, 1 week ago

Man on death row in South Carolina seeks postponement to get autopsy from last execution

Hindustan Times

COLUMBIA, S.C. — A condemned man who is the next person scheduled to be put to death in South Carolina is again asking for his execution date be postponed because his lawyers have not received the autopsy report from the last execution two weeks ago. Man on death row in South Carolina seeks postponement to get autopsy from last execution …

1 month, 1 week ago

Louisiana seeks to resume executions imminently after a 15-year pause

The Independent

Get Nadine White's Race Report newsletter for a fresh perspective on the week's news Get our free newsletter from The Independent's Race Correspondent Get our free newsletter from The Independent's Race Correspondent SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Louisiana will seek to resume carrying out death …

1 month, 2 weeks ago

South Carolina sets next execution date as inmate questions lethal injection doses

Associated Press

COLUMBIA, S.C. — The South Carolina Supreme Court has set a March 7 date for the latest execution in the state’s suddenly busy death chamber. The justices on Friday rejected a request from Brad Sigmon’s lawyers to delay setting a date for his death until they get autopsy results from the inmate killed in last week’s lethal injection, the third …

1 month, 3 weeks ago

South Carolina to carry out first U.S. execution of 2025

Raw Story

A South Carolina man convicted of murder is scheduled to be put to death by lethal injection on Friday, the first execution in the United States this year. Bowman has filed numerous appeals seeking to put off his execution including a claim that the attorney who defended him at trial "held racist attitudes." Bowman's attorneys also argued that two witnesses …

1 month, 3 weeks ago

Marion Bowman: Death row killer who shot friend found dead in car boot to be executed - but maintains innocence

The Independent

The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Marion Bowman Jr. maintains that he did not …

1 month, 3 weeks ago

South Carolina puts inmate Marion Bowman Jr. to death in state’s third execution since September

Associated Press

COLUMBIA, S.C. — South Carolina put a third inmate to death in four months Friday as it goes through a backlog of prisoners who exhausted their appeals while the state couldn’t find lethal injection drugs. In his final statement, Bowman said death row inmates might be labeled the worst of the worst, but they have all grown and changed from …

2 months ago

Condemned inmate worried South Carolina needed 2 lethal injections doses at last execution

Associated Press

COLUMBIA, S.C. — South Carolina’s latest execution should be halted so that lawyers for the condemned inmate can get more information about the drug used for lethal injection after the last prisoner put to death needed two massive doses of the sedative 11 minutes apart, the attorneys said in court papers. An anesthesiologist who reviewed the autopsy records of Richard …

2 months, 2 weeks ago

After holiday pause, South Carolina begins scheduling executions again

Associated Press

COLUMBIA, S.C. — South Carolina’s Supreme Court set a Jan. 31 date for the state’s next execution after allowing a pause for the Christmas holidays. The court could have set a date as early as Dec. 6 for Bowman’s death, but the justices accepted without comment a request from lawyers for the four inmates awaiting execution that the state pause …

2 months, 3 weeks ago

Tennessee has a new execution method, 2.5 years after last scheduled execution abruptly halted

Associated Press

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — More than 2 years after Tennessee abruptly halted the execution of inmate Oscar Smith — admitting that correction officials were not following their own execution protocols — the state has announced a new method that could allow it to resume executions halted since May 2022. The Tennessee Department of Correction announced in a brief statement Friday it …

3 months ago

US carries out 25 executions this year as death penalty trends in nation held steady

Associated Press

HOUSTON — The number of executions in the U.S. remained near historic lows in 2024 and was mostly carried out in a small group of states, including Alabama, which became the first state to use nitrogen gas as an execution method, according to an annual report on capital punishment. “The dramatic drop in new death sentences over the years, I …

3 months ago

South Carolina death row inmate makes final appeal, says trial lawyer wasn’t prepared

Associated Press

COLUMBIA, S.C. — A man convicted of murder who is expected to be the next inmate scheduled for execution in South Carolina is making a final appeal to the state Supreme Court, saying his trial lawyer was inadequately prepared and had too much sympathy for the victim. They said Bowman’s lawyer at his trial called the victim, who was white, …

4 months, 1 week ago

South Carolina to take a break from executions for the holidays

Associated Press

COLUMBIA, S.C. — The South Carolina Supreme Court has decided the state should take a break from executions for the holidays. South Carolina restarted its death chamber this year after an unintended 13-year break in executions in part because companies refused to sell the state drugs needed for lethal injections if the companies could be identified. South Carolina was among …

4 months, 1 week ago

South Carolina does not set a date for the next execution after requests for a holiday pause

Associated Press

COLUMBIA, S.C. — South Carolina’s Supreme Court has not set a date for the state’s next execution after lawyers for four inmates out of appeals asked them to postpone deaths until after Christmas and New Year’s. The justices typically issue notices on Fridays because it gives the maximum amount of time of 28 days to prepare for the execution which …

4 months, 3 weeks ago

Justices refuse to stop execution of South Carolina inmate who says the jury was racially biased

The Independent

5 months ago

Condemned South Carolina inmate chooses to die by lethal injection

The Independent

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Please try again later {{ …

5 months, 3 weeks ago

5 U.S. death row inmates were executed in one week, the most in decades

LA Times

Death row inmates in five states have been put to death in the span of one week, an unusually high number of executions that defies a yearslong trend of decline in both the use and support of the death penalty in the U.S. Two more death row inmates, in Missouri and Texas, were pronounced dead Tuesday evening following executions, and …

6 months ago

5 executions have happened over a week’s span in the US. That’s the most in decades

Associated Press

OKLAHOMA CITY — Death row inmates in five states have been put to death in the span of one week, an unusually high number of executions that defies a yearslong trend of decline in both the use and support of the death penalty in the U.S. Two more death row inmates, in Missouri and Texas, were pronounced dead Tuesday evening …

6 months ago

South Carolina executes a man for first time in 13 years despite new testimony hints at his innocence

Firstpost

The 46-year-old inmate was killed by a lethal injection and was pronounced dead at 6:55 p.m.. However, the execution came days after the key witness for the prosecution came forward to admit that he lied at the trial South Carolina executed death row inmate Freddie Owens, the first man to be put to death by the state in 13 years. …

6 months ago

US man convicted of killing store clerk faces death in first of 5 executions over next week

Firstpost

Owens was sentenced to death in 1999 for the murder of Irene Graves, a mother of three, during an armed robbery of a convenience store in Greenville, South Carolina, on Halloween night in 1997 This undated booking photo obtained from the South Carolina Department of Corrections in Columbia, South Carolina, shows death row inmate Freddie Owens, 46. AFP A man …

6 months ago

South Carolina inmate dies by lethal injection in state’s first execution in 13 years

Associated Press

COLUMBIA, S.C. — South Carolina put inmate Freddie Owens to death Friday as the state restarted executions after an unintended 13-year pause because prison officials couldn’t get the drugs needed for lethal injections. South Carolina’s governor and corrections director swiftly filed a reply, stating the high court should reject Owens’ petition. First execution in 13 years Owens may be the …

6 months ago

South Carolina Supreme Court rejects claim inmate didn’t kill clerk and refuses to stop execution

Associated Press

COLUMBIA, S.C. — The South Carolina Supreme Court has again refused to stop the execution of inmate Freddie Owens who is set to die Friday by lethal injection. Golden testified at Owens’ trial, saying prosecutors promised to consider his testimony in his favor but he still faced the death penalty or life in prison. Prosecutors have said Golden wasn’t the …

6 months ago

South Carolina death row inmate asks governor for clemency

The Independent

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. While awaiting sentencing after being found guilty in her …

6 months, 1 week ago

South Carolina justices refuse to stop state’s first execution in 13 years

Associated Press

COLUMBIA, S.C. — The South Carolina Supreme Court on Thursday refused to stop the execution of Freddie Owens who is set to die by lethal injection next week in the state’s first execution in 13 years. That evidence, plus an argument that Owens’ death sentence was too harsh because a jury never conclusively determined he pulled the trigger on the …

6 months, 2 weeks ago

Forced to choose how to die, South Carolina inmate lets lawyer pick lethal injection

Associated Press

COLUMBIA, S.C. — A condemned inmate forced to choose how he’ll be put to death ended weeks of suspense by leaving the decision to his lawyer, who reluctantly told South Carolina prison officials on Friday to prepare for a lethal injection, rather than the electric chair or a firing squad. Owens’ death is now set for Sept. 20, as South …

6 months, 2 weeks ago

Forced to choose how to die, South Carolina inmate lets lawyer pick lethal injection

The Independent

6 months, 2 weeks ago

Inmate awaiting execution says South Carolina didn’t share enough about lethal injection drug

Associated Press

COLUMBIA, S.C. — Lawyers for the South Carolina inmate scheduled to be put to death later this month said Tuesday state prison officials didn’t provide enough information about the drug to decide whether he wants to die by lethal injection. How much information should be released to a condemned inmate is one of several pending legal issues before the South …

6 months, 3 weeks ago

Inmate asks to delay execution, says co-defendant who blamed him for killing had secret deal

Associated Press

COLUMBIA, S.C. — An inmate set to be executed in South Carolina in three weeks wants the state Supreme Court to delay the execution so his lawyers can argue his co-defendant who testified against him lied about having no plea deal in exchange for his testimony. Also on Friday, the South Carolina’s Supreme Court promised it would wait at least …

55 years, 2 months ago

Is South Carolina Willing to Heed the Clearest Lesson We Have About Executions?

Slate

Carrying out an execution is always a complicated business that takes a horrible toll on anyone who is associated with it. On Monday, the South Carolina Supreme Court gave the go-ahead for the state’s next execution and also agreed to consider a request from four of the state’s death-row inmates that South Carolina wait at least three months between executions. …

6 months, 3 weeks ago

South Carolina Supreme Court to decide minimum time between executions

Associated Press

The South Carolina Supreme Court won’t allow another execution in the state until it determines a minimum amount of time between sending inmates to the death chamber. But as it set Owens’ execution date Friday, the court also agreed to take up a request from four other death row inmates who are out of appeals to require the state to …

6 months, 3 weeks ago

South Carolina Supreme Court to decide minimum time between executions

The Independent

7 months ago

South Carolina sets date for first execution in more than 13 years

The Independent

7 months ago

South Carolina sets date for first execution in more than 13 years

Associated Press

COLUMBIA, S.C. — South Carolina has set a Sept. 20 date to put inmate Freddie Eugene Owens to death in what would be the state’s first execution in more than 13 years. He must also give Owens’ lawyers proof that the lethal injection drug is stable and correctly mixed, according to the high court’s 2023 interpretation of the state’s secrecy …

7 months, 3 weeks ago

South Carolina Supreme Court rules state death penalty including firing squad is legal

Associated Press

COLUMBIA, S.C. — 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. South Carolina allowing inmates to choose from the three execution methods is far from an effort to inflict pain but a sincere attempt at …

7 months, 3 weeks ago

South Carolina Supreme Court rules state death penalty including firing squad is legal

CNN

COLUMBIA, S.C. AP — The South Carolina Supreme Court ruled Wednesday that the state’s death penalty, which now includes a firing squad as well as lethal injection and the electric chair, is legal. The Supreme Court allowed the inmates to add arguments that the shield law was too secret by not releasing the potency, purity and stabilization of lethal injection …

1 year ago

Lawmakers bidding to resume Louisiana executions after 14-year pause OK new death penalty methods

Associated Press

— Bidding to resume Louisiana executions after a 14-year pause, the state’s Republican-dominated Legislature gave final passage to a bill Thursday to add electrocution and the use of nitrogen gas as means of administering the death penalty. Amid ongoing challenges over obtaining lethal injection drugs, Louisiana’s bill follows in the steps of other reliably red states that have expanded their …

1 year, 1 month ago

South Carolina wants to restart executions by firing squad, electric chair and lethal injection

Hindustan Times

Lawyers for four death row inmates who have run out of appeals are expected to argue to the South Carolina Supreme Court that the state's old electric chair and new firing squad are cruel and unusual punishments. If the Supreme Court justices allow executions to restart and any additional appeals are unsuccessful, South Carolina's death chamber, unused since May 2011, …

1 year, 1 month ago

South Carolina wants to restart executions with firing squad, electric chair and lethal injection

Associated Press

COLUMBIA, S.C. — Lawyers for four death row inmates who have run out of appeals argued to the South Carolina Supreme Court on Tuesday that the state’s old electric chair and new firing squad are cruel and unusual punishments. And they got a lawyer for the inmates to say if the Supreme Court bans electrocution and the firing squad and …

Discover Related

3 days, 10 hours ago

Florida executes man convicted of killing 8-year-old girl, her grandmother

India Today

A Florida man convicted of murdering an 8-year-old girl and her grandmother in 1993 was executed Thursday evening after decades on death row. Prison officials confirmed that Edward James, 63, was pronounced dead at 8:15 pm following a three-drug lethal injection at Florida State Prison near Starke. The U.S. Supreme Court denied James’ final appeals earlier in the day, allowing …

Death Florida Man James Dick Her Grandmother Execution

Florida man faces execution for the killing of an 8-year-old girl and her grandmother

Trending News

4 days, 6 hours ago

Florida man faces execution for the killing of an 8-year-old girl and her grandmother

Hindustan Times

STARKE, Fla. — A Florida man who killed an 8-year-old girl and her grandmother on a night in which he drank heavily and used drugs is set to be executed Thursday. Florida man faces execution for the killing of an 8-year-old girl and her grandmother Edward James, 63, is scheduled to receive a lethal injection starting at 6 p.m. at …

Death Florida Court Man James Dick Her Grandmother

4 days, 6 hours ago