A prison firing squad in South Carolina executed Mikal Mahdi on Friday, marking the state’s second execution by gunfire in a rush to reinstate capital punishment. Mahdi, aged 42, was killed for the 2004 murder of off-duty public safety officer James Myers.
Despite pleas from Mahdi’s lawyers, who highlighted his traumatic childhood and lack of fair trial representation, state courts dismissed their last-ditch efforts to halt the execution. This represents a grim continuation of South Carolina’s capital punishment practices, as Governor Henry McMaster announced just before the execution that he would not grant clemency, a power no governor has exercised in 50 years.
In a troubling trend, South Carolina resumed executions last year after a 13-year hiatus due to difficulties obtaining lethal injection drugs. Death row inmates are now allowed to select their method of execution, choosing from the electric chair, lethal injection, or firing squad. Mahdi opted for the firing squad, perceiving it as a "lesser of three evils."
The execution was carried out with Mahdi strapped into a chair. Three correctional officers fired at a target on his chest. Witnesses reported he cried out upon being shot, and for over a minute, his body reacted before he was pronounced dead, just under four minutes after the shots were fired.
Mahdi’s life was marked by deep struggles. His lawyer reflected on his potential, stating, "Mikal was smart and creative, but he never got the chance to show it." Mahdi’s history includes incidents of childhood abuse and mental health struggles, leading to a tragic series of events resulting in his conviction. His attorneys argued that the legal system failed him, citing issues with his trial counsel’s inadequate defense.
South Carolina’s controversial practice has resumed amid increasing scrutiny. In just 2025 alone, Mahdi became the 12th person executed in the state. The medical community has raised alarms about execution processes, particularly with experimental methods present in other states, like nitrogen gas in Louisiana.
Experts and activists are increasingly vocal against the death penalty. Recent surveys indicate that public support for capital punishment is declining as many question its morality and effectiveness. Groups advocating for alternatives to the death penalty have organized vigils and campaigns calling for a halt to executions, highlighting systemic issues that often go unnoticed.
Mahdi’s case sheds light on these broader conversations. The human cost of capital punishment is immense, with many arguing it’s not just about the crime, but the impact of a flawed justice system. In his final days, Mahdi expressed wishes to donate his organs, but was informed that protocols would prevent this, further compounding the sense of loss and tragedy surrounding his case.
Amidst changes in execution methods and legal battles, the death penalty remains a contentious issue across the U.S., with states like Idaho adopting firing squads as their primary means of execution and ongoing debates about the ethics surrounding capital punishment. The fatigue and moral questions surrounding these practices may lead to significant changes in attitudes and policies in the years ahead, as society continues to grapple with the implications of a justice system where lives hang in the balance.
For more information on the death penalty and its implications, you can read about it through ACLU’s dedicated page.
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