Mikal Mahdi was executed by a firing squad on Friday evening in South Carolina, marking the second execution in just five weeks using this controversial method. The 42-year-old inmate was convicted for the murder of Captain James Myers, an off-duty police officer, whom he shot nine times in 2004 and subsequently set on fire. Mahdi also admitted to killing another individual, Christopher Boggs, just days prior. His execution took place at 6:01 p.m., with the execution team stating that he was pronounced dead shortly thereafter.

In choosing the firing squad, Mahdi opted for what he believed was "the lesser of three evils," avoiding lethal injection or electrocution, which he felt could lead to a painful death. His lawyer described the execution as "a horrifying act that belongs in the darkest chapters of history" and expressed that the state had failed Mahdi at every point in his life, from childhood through his final moments. The choice of execution methods has gained renewed attention in South Carolina as lethal injection drugs have become increasingly difficult to obtain.

This execution follows that of Brad Sigmon, who was executed under the same conditions just a month earlier, marking rare occurrences of firing squad executions in the U.S., with only five having taken place since 1976. Mahdi’s case and the subsequent execution have reignited discussions surrounding the ethics of the death penalty, particularly in light of controversies and challenges associated with lethal injection protocols.

Execution by firing squad remains a contentious issue, with opinions divided about its appropriateness in modern society. Advocates for abolishing the death penalty continue to voice concerns, highlighting the need for humane approaches to criminal justice reform. State policies permitting death row inmates to choose their execution method reflect ongoing tensions and evolving legislative measures surrounding capital punishment.

For more detailed coverage of Mikal Mahdi's execution and surrounding events, see reports from CBS News, Newsweek, The New York Times, and India Times.