S.C. Supreme Court Rejects Appeal Clearing Path For Firing Squad Execution

Brad Sigmon's lawyers attempted to delay his death so they could get a hearing in court to learn more about the lethal injection option.

The South Carolina Supreme Court has rejected an appeal, clearing the way for the first firing squad execution in the state in 15 years.

67-year-old Brad Sigmon was sentenced to the death penalty for beating his ex-girlfriend’s parents to death with a baseball bat in their Greenville County home. His plan was to kidnap his ex-girlfriend and kill her as well but she was able to escape.

Sigmon’s lawyers attempted to delay his death so they could get a hearing in court to learn more about the lethal injection option. They claim Sigmon was forced to choose the firing squad due to lack of information. However, the court rejected the request.

Sigmon is set to be strapped to a chair at 6pm Friday in which a target will be placed over his heart and a hood over his head. Three shooters will fire from 15-feet away.

Sigmon plans to ask Gov. Henry McMaster to commute his death sentence to life in prison. He will make his decision moments before the execution starts. No S.C. governor has granted clemency in the 49 years since the death penalty restarted.