COLUMBIA, S.C. — South Carolina’s top court has decided not to stop the execution of Stephen Bryant, a man who killed three people over a span of five days more than two decades ago. His execution by firing squad is set for 6 p.m. on Friday.
Bryant, now 44, was sentenced to death for the brutal murder of Willard “TJ” Tietjen in 2004. Authorities reported that after shooting Tietjen, Bryant burned his eyes with cigarettes and left taunting messages on the wall using the victim’s blood.
Bryant’s defense team recently filed an appeal, arguing that his mother’s substance abuse during pregnancy harmed his brain development. They claimed that this information was not fully explored during his original trial. Despite this, the Supreme Court rejected the appeal, stating that even if his brain damage had been acknowledged, it wouldn’t have changed the outcome of his death sentence. The court noted that Bryant displayed careful planning and decision-making in committing these crimes.
The appeal also highlighted Bryant’s childhood trauma, including sexual abuse, which may have impacted his ability to follow the law. His lawyers argued that he didn’t receive a complete brain scan that could have revealed damage from in utero alcohol exposure.
Recent data from the National Institutes of Health suggests that children born with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) often struggle with impulse control and legal compliance. However, the court sided with the prosecution, asserting that Bryant’s actions were not impulsive, but rather calculated.
As for his execution, Bryant has opted for a firing squad, becoming the third person to be executed in South Carolina this year by this method. The state has recently faced challenges in obtaining drugs for lethal injections, leading to a revival of firing squad executions. Only three other states in the U.S. have conducted executions by firing squad since 1977, with Utah being the most notable.
Bryant’s case brings back discussions about the death penalty and its implications. Despite the mounting evidence of his troubled past and potential mental health issues, the court’s decision reflects strong support for the judicial process involved in capital punishment.
As the execution date approaches, Bryant does have one last option. He can request clemency from the governor, though historically, no South Carolina governor has granted such requests in the modern death penalty era. This stark reality adds another layer of complexity to an already emotionally charged situation.
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