19 h. ago South Carolina court clears way for first execution by firing squad in 15 years

Lawyers for Brad Sigmon said he chose a death by firing squad because he thought lethal injection would be tortuousSouth Carolina’s supreme court has rejected what is likely the final appeal of convicted murderer Brad Sigmon, clearing the way for his execution by firing squad on Friday.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 said that lack of information forced him to choose to be shot to death. The state also has an electric chair, but Sigmon said he didn’t want to suffer being cooked alive by electricity. Continue reading...

Events

24 h. ago Inside Bangladesh's hellish death squad jails where genitals zapped and mouths sewn shut

WARNING, DISTRESSING CONTENT: People who have been inside since have said there were shackles hanging from the ceilings which would have been used for holding prisoners, while a cough medicine-like substance called Phensedyl was also found

Events

28 h. ago I saw the last firing squad execution... the violent twitching and stench of bleach will haunt me forever: As it happens again 15 years on, a chilling eyewitness account

As he sat strapped tight to a chair with a black hood placed over his head, it was difficult to tell whether Ronnie Lee Gardner was alive or dead when four bullets ripped into his chest...

Economics

46 h. ago South Carolina is set for the first U.S. firing squad execution in 15 years

Death row inmate convicted of the double murder of David and Gladys Larke has chosen to die by firing squad over fears the electric chair would ‘burn and cook him alive’

Politics

47 h. ago Inside Bangladesh's 'death squad' jails where inmates' mouths sewn shut and genitals electrocuted

Families of people who went missing are calling for answers. It comes after dozens of political opponents of the Bangladeshi Prime Minister were suspected to have been kept prisoner in nightmare jails

Events

3 d. ago Baseball bat Death Row killer 'forced' to choose execution by horror firing squad

Brad Sigmon’s upcoming execution by firing squad is raising ethical questions after the 67-year-old convict pleaded for a postponement of the grim method set for Friday (March 7)

Events

3 d. ago Who is Brad Sigmon? The South Carolina murderer set for first U.S. firing squad execution in 15 years

Death row inmate convicted of the double murder of David and Gladys Larke has chosen to die by firing squad over fears the electric chair would ‘burn and cook him alive’

Events

1 week ago South Carolina man to be killed in US’s first firing squad execution in 15 years

Brad Sigmon, 67, chooses to be shot dead amid concerns that lethal injections have caused ‘excruciating’ painA South Carolina man on death row has chosen to be killed by firing squad, and if his execution goes forward next month, it would be the first time in 15 years that capital punishment in the US is carried out by gunfire.Brad Sigmon, 67, is scheduled to be shot to death on 7 March, part of a spate of rapid killings the state has pursued in the last six months as it revives executions after a 13-year pause. South Carolina now directs those on death row to choose how they will be killed – electric chair, lethal injection or shooting. If they decline to make a selection, the state electrocutes them. Continue reading...

Events