South Carolina Supreme Court Rules in Favor of Controversial Execution Methods

It looks like the Palmetto State is taking a page out of the Old West playbook. South Carolina’s Supreme Court has given the green light to three execution methods, including the controversial firing squad. While some may argue it’s a step backward, others may see it as a necessary measure to ensure justice is served. Let’s dive into this powder keg of an issue and see what’s really at stake for the state’s death row inmates and the families of their victims.

The Ruling and Its Implications

The South Carolina Supreme Court has ruled that electrocution, firing squad, and lethal injection are legal execution methods in the state. This decision follows a 2021 law that included electrocution and firing squad as legal alternatives due to difficulties in procuring lethal injection drugs. There has been a pause on executions in place since 2011, but the new ruling could clear the way for the state to resume carrying out death sentences for the 32 inmates currently on death row.

Justice John Cannon Few, writing for the majority, argued that these methods are not cruel because inmates can choose the option they believe will cause the least pain. This rationale aims to make the death penalty less inhumane while enabling the state to carry out its laws.

The South Carolina Supreme Court ruled Wednesday upheld the state's execution methods, which include electrocution, lethal injection, and now, firing squad. https://t.co/Nsesbv8ixC

— CBS News (@CBSNews) July 31, 2024

Ethical Concerns and Dissenting Opinions

While the majority of justices supported the ruling, it wasn’t without opposition. Chief Justice Don Beatty mostly disagreed, arguing that while the death penalty law itself is legal, both the electric chair and firing squad are cruel methods of execution. He went so far as to compare execution by electric chair to burning at the stake, highlighting the ethical concerns surrounding these methods.

“The only difference, in my view, is the ‘modernization’ in the last century of the means of ignition — from a match to electric current,” Beatty wrote. He added that the “end result” is about the same.

However, Associate Justice John Cannon Few said regarding the firing squad and electric chair, “The methods cannot be considered cruel because the condemned inmate may elect to have the state employ the method he and his lawyers believe will cause him the least pain.”

The ruling has reignited debates about the ethics of capital punishment and the methods used to carry it out. Critics argue that these methods may violate constitutional protections against cruel and unusual punishment, while supporters contend that they are necessary to ensure justice for victims’ families.

Addressing Drug Shortages and Future Executions

One of the driving factors behind South Carolina’s decision to include alternative execution methods was the ongoing shortage of lethal injection drugs. This issue has plagued many states across the country, leading to delays in executions and forcing lawmakers to consider other options.

In response to the drug shortage, South Carolina passed a shield law in 2023 that allows confidentiality for lethal injection drug suppliers. This measure aims to enable the use of pentobarbital for lethal injections, potentially providing another option for future executions. However, the availability and effectiveness of this drug remain uncertain.