8 May 2025: "Lawyers for man executed by firing squad in South Carolina say bullets mostly missed his heart"

[The Bread Guy]

Throwing this into the general LEO area given it's a bit of a criminal justice issue.

Lawyers for man executed by firing squad in South Carolina say bullets mostly missed his heart

A pathologist hired by attorneys for death row inmates says a South Carolina man executed by firing squad was conscious and likely in extreme pain for as long as a minute.

apnews.com

Revealed: Autopsy suggests South Carolina botched firing squad execution

Records obtained by the Guardian indicate shooters missed the target on Mikal Mahdi, which lawyers say caused prolonged suffering

www.theguardian.com

A bit of backstory from before the execution:

Previous execution reveals how South Carolina will put 2nd inmate to death by firing squad

A few more details are known about South Carolina's firing squad as the state prepares to carry out its second execution by that method.

apnews.com

I'm reluctantly OK with capital punishment (with my biggest worry being about not being able to reverse it if things were not done right), but one would think "the system" might be better than this in doing things. Yeah, I know, systems staffed by humans are subject to the imperfection of said humans, but still ...

I know it couldn't be easy for the volunteers pulling the triggers (with respect to them for stepping forward, given the enormity - and possibly life-changing nature - of the task), so I'm open to criticism about armchair quarterbacking, but if missing a 5-metre shot can happen, maybe something was lacking in their “completed ... required training.” I can't diss the participants, but I can wonder about how they were prepared.

 

[Jarnhamar]

(with my biggest worry being about not being able to reverse it if things were not done right), but one would think "the system" might be better than this in doing things. Yeah, I know, systems staffed by humans are subject to the imperfection of said humans, but still ...

One way I see it in favor of capital punishment.

Someone being executed can't be reversed of course. Cops kill people way more often than people are executed on death row. Someone on death row is going to have a lot more levels of vetting and checks/balances than a cop showing up to a mental health call. Or something like this from Toronto's Rodger Kotanko shooting.

 

[mariomike]

, but if missing a 5-metre shot can happen, maybe something was lacking in their “completed ... required training.” I can't diss the participants, but I can wonder about how they were prepared.

Not totally surprised, after reading "The Execution of Private Slovik"

The firing squad consisted of twelve soldiers selected from the 109th Regiment. The weapons used were standard-issue M1 Garand rifles, eleven of them loaded with just one round and one rifle loaded with a blank round. On the command of "Fire", Slovik was hit by eleven bullets, at least four of them being fatal. The wounds ranged from high in the neck region out to the left shoulder, over the left chest, and under the heart. One bullet was in the left upper arm. An Army physician quickly determined Slovik had not been immediately killed. As the firing squad's rifles were being reloaded to fire another volley, Slovik died. He was 24 years old. The entire execution took 15 minutes.

 

[daftandbarmy]

Throwing this into the general LEO area given it's a bit of a criminal justice issue.

Lawyers for man executed by firing squad in South Carolina say bullets mostly missed his heart

A pathologist hired by attorneys for death row inmates says a South Carolina man executed by firing squad was conscious and likely in extreme pain for as long as a minute.

apnews.com

Revealed: Autopsy suggests South Carolina botched firing squad execution

Records obtained by the Guardian indicate shooters missed the target on Mikal Mahdi, which lawyers say caused prolonged suffering

www.theguardian.com

A bit of backstory from before the execution:

Previous execution reveals how South Carolina will put 2nd inmate to death by firing squad

A few more details are known about South Carolina's firing squad as the state prepares to carry out its second execution by that method.

apnews.com

I'm reluctantly OK with capital punishment (with my biggest worry being about not being able to reverse it if things were not done right), but one would think "the system" might be better than this in doing things. Yeah, I know, systems staffed by humans are subject to the imperfection of said humans, but still ...

I know it couldn't be easy for the volunteers pulling the triggers (with respect to them for stepping forward, given the enormity - and possibly life-changing nature - of the task), so I'm open to criticism about armchair quarterbacking, but if missing a 5-metre shot can happen, maybe something was lacking in their “completed ... required training.” I can't diss the participants, but I can wonder about how they were prepared.

They forgot the 'Coup de Grace' step in the process, clearly....

 

[CountDC]

I support execution in the clear cut cases where there really isn't room for error. If you are able to show bloggins attacked and killed someone with no valid provocation then I am good. If there is even a slight possibility of self defence then lock them up instead. As for the pain and suffering part for about a minute, I am not concerned about it as I am guessing they were not concerned about it when they killed their victim.

In this case he was executed for killing someone in law enforcement (? i think as not sure what public safety officer means) shooting him numerous times and then burning him. Maybe the near miss was intentional to give a little bit of suffering?

Would like to see more on the 2 rounds in same hole theory. It is a possibility that would have been nice to have looked at better to confirm as it is also possible one didn't fire. If one of the volunteers didn't carry through they should know this so that person is not selected for future executions. I was also hoping they would mention if the target placed on him had any holes in it. This would indicate if the issue was the shooters or the placement of the target.

 

[KevinB]

Throwing this into the general LEO area given it's a bit of a criminal justice issue.

Lawyers for man executed by firing squad in South Carolina say bullets mostly missed his heart

A pathologist hired by attorneys for death row inmates says a South Carolina man executed by firing squad was conscious and likely in extreme pain for as long as a minute.

apnews.com

Revealed: Autopsy suggests South Carolina botched firing squad execution

Records obtained by the Guardian indicate shooters missed the target on Mikal Mahdi, which lawyers say caused prolonged suffering

www.theguardian.com

A bit of backstory from before the execution:

Previous execution reveals how South Carolina will put 2nd inmate to death by firing squad

A few more details are known about South Carolina's firing squad as the state prepares to carry out its second execution by that method.

apnews.com

I'm reluctantly OK with capital punishment (with my biggest worry being about not being able to reverse it if things were not done right), but one would think "the system" might be better than this in doing things. Yeah, I know, systems staffed by humans are subject to the imperfection of said humans, but still ...

I know it couldn't be easy for the volunteers pulling the triggers (with respect to them for stepping forward, given the enormity - and possibly life-changing nature - of the task), so I'm open to criticism about armchair quarterbacking, but if missing a 5-metre shot can happen, maybe something was lacking in their “completed ... required training.” I can't diss the participants, but I can wonder about how they were prepared.

Maybe they intended to cause prolonged suffering?

 

[The Bread Guy]

... Maybe the near miss was intentional to give a little bit of suffering? ...

Maybe they intended to cause prolonged suffering?

Can't read hearts, and can understand why some would want that, but if that's the case, is this the standard we (as a system/society) should be aiming for (no pun intended)?

Again, I would never second guess individual actions, but is that how state-sanctioned force should be wielded?

... Would like to see more on the 2 rounds in same hole theory. It is a possibility that would have been nice to have looked at better to confirm as it is also possible one didn't fire. If one of the volunteers didn't carry through they should know this so that person is not selected for future executions. I was also hoping they would mention if the target placed on him had any holes in it. This would indicate if the issue was the shooters or the placement of the target.

For sure would provide more context.

 

[KevinB]

Can't read hearts, and can understand why some would want that, but if that's the case, is this the standard we (as a system/society) should be aiming for (no pun intended)?

Agreed

Again, I would never second guess individual actions, but is that how state-sanctioned force should be wielded?

I think Firing Squads should be reserved for Military punishments. While I am a supporter of capital punishment for various offenses, I think Civilian Capital Punishment should be lethal injection as currently that seems to be the most humane method.
That said in SC they allow the condemned to chose their manner of execution - so...

For sure would provide more context.

SC has three shooters - each with a 7.62mm M-14 with 110gr TAP ammo, and a red bullseye target is placed over the chest, distance is 15' (4.6m for the metric folks). Apparently if the target doesn't die within a few minutes the shooters are supposed to shoot again upon command of there Warden -- no coup de grace

 

[daftandbarmy]

Agreed

I think Firing Squads should be reserved for Military punishments. While I am a supporter of capital punishment for various offenses, I think Civilian Capital Punishment should be lethal injection as currently that seems to be the most humane method.
That said in SC they allow the condemned to chose their manner of execution - so...

SC has three shooters - each with a 7.62mm M-14 with 110gr TAP ammo, and a red bullseye target is placed over the chest, distance is 15' (4.6m for the metric folks). Apparently if the target doesn't die within a few minutes the shooters are supposed to shoot again upon command of there Warden -- no coup de grace

Why not save money on ammo...

 

[mariomike]

Last meal, if any readers are interested,

According to prison officials, Mahdi revealed that the inmate had eaten a ribeye steak cooked medium, mushroom risotto, broccoli and collard greens for his last meal, PBS reports.

This was followed by a cheesecake, while Mahdi washed it all down with sweet tea.

SC cop killer Mikal Mahdi chose upscale final meal before he was executed by firing squad

The convicted killer washed down his hearty meal with a sweet tea.

nypost.com

 

[Fishbone Jones]

I suppose we could come up with a mechanical firing system guided by computer and lazer. Set it up so that once armed it will fire itself, randomly, within 10 seconds to one minute. A computer guided shot with no human interaction after arming.

 

[AmmoTech90]

I support execution in the clear cut cases where there really isn't room for error.

Patch up for HA, that's a 9mm to the back of the head.

 

[Kirkhill]

Animal Slaughter - Methods Used | RSPCA - RSPCA - rspca.org.uk

Find out more about the methods used to slaughter farm animals in the UK, including stunning, sticking and religious slaughter.

www.rspca.org.uk

Some options.

 

[Fishbone Jones]

Animal Slaughter - Methods Used | RSPCA - RSPCA - rspca.org.uk

Find out more about the methods used to slaughter farm animals in the UK, including stunning, sticking and religious slaughter.

www.rspca.org.uk

No Country for Old Men?

 

[Blackadder1916]

 

[lenaitch]

Training and bravado aside, when a method involves a human and accuracy, I can certainly see stress and nervousness coming into play.

I'm not sure how the Ohio system is any better than a guillotine other than it was invented by n American, involves technology and is probably really expensive. Besides, once the robots rise up, they won't need a silly human to push the start button.

 

[Halifax Tar]

Agreed

I think Firing Squads should be reserved for Military punishments. While I am a supporter of capital punishment for various offenses, I think Civilian Capital Punishment should be lethal injection as currently that seems to be the most humane method.
That said in SC they allow the condemned to chose their manner of execution - so...

SC has three shooters - each with a 7.62mm M-14 with 110gr TAP ammo, and a red bullseye target is placed over the chest, distance is 15' (4.6m for the metric folks). Apparently if the target doesn't die within a few minutes the shooters are supposed to shoot again upon command of there Warden -- no coup de grace

Use soft point. The damage it causes is much more immense than FMJs. 3 x 7.62x51 from 15' will destroy the heart even in misses.

Down side is it will be much more messy.

 

[Fishbone Jones]

Use soft point. The damage it causes is much more immense than FMJs. 3 x 7.62x51 from 15' will destroy the heart even in misses.

Down side is it will be much more messy.

To much humming, hawing and beating around the bush.

A Barrett .50 at 15' will get the job done in one shot.

 

[Staff Weenie]

To much humming, hawing and beating around the bush.

A Barrett .50 at 15' will get the job done in one shot.

Yes, but then you have issues with requiring a reinforced backstop.

 

[Fishbone Jones]

Training and bravado aside, when a method involves a human and accuracy, I can certainly see stress and nervousness coming into play.

I'm not sure how the Ohio system is any better than a guillotine other than it was invented by n American, involves technology and is probably really expensive. Besides, once the robots rise up, they won't need a silly human to push the start button.

Lots of reports of blinking eyes and trying to speak from heads severed by the guillotine.

The Guillotine - Articles - Living Heads

The Guillotine articles - heads that would stay alive after being decapitated

theguillotine.info