On April 11, 2025, Mikal Mahdi, convicted for the 2004 murder of Orangeburg County Public Safety Captain James Myers, was executed by firing squad in South Carolina. This was the second such execution in the state since the practice resumed in 2024. Mahdi opted for the firing squad over lethal injection or electrocution, believing it would be a more humane method.
However, Mahdi’s legal team argues that the execution was mishandled. Forensic reports suggest that only two of the three bullets hit Mahdi, with one striking his pancreas, liver, and lung, instead of his heart. Dr. Jonathan Arden, a forensic pathologist, stated that Mahdi likely remained conscious and endured severe pain for up to 60 seconds after being shot, much longer than the expected 10–15 seconds. Witnesses reported that Mahdi groaned and continued breathing for over a minute following the shooting.
In response, Mahdi’s attorneys have filed a complaint with the South Carolina Supreme Court, claiming that the execution violated the state constitution’s ban on cruel and unusual punishment. They argue that the failure to follow proper procedures casts doubt on the effectiveness and humanity of the execution method.
The South Carolina Department of Corrections maintains that the execution was carried out according to protocol, asserting that all three bullets struck Mahdi’s heart. However, the absence of detailed autopsy documentation, such as X-rays and photographs, has raised concerns among experts about the investigation’s thoroughness.
This case has reignited debate over the use of firing squads for executions, with critics questioning their reliability and humanity. Mahdi’s execution and the legal challenges that follow highlight the ongoing concerns surrounding capital punishment in the U.S.
