A State Prepares for a Grim Milestone: South Carolina Set to Execute Inmate by Firing Squad After Decades-Long Hiatus
On Friday, South Carolina is poised to become the center of a somber national debate as it prepares to execute Brad Keith Sigmon by firing squad, a method not employed in the United States in over a decade. Sigmon, convicted of the brutal 2001 murders of David and Gladys Larke, his ex-girlfriend’s parents, chose this method over lethal injection or the electric chair, setting the stage for what will be the nation’s fourth firing squad execution since 1977 and the first in South Carolina’s modern history.
The case has reignited long-standing ethical and legal questions surrounding capital punishment, the evolving nature of execution methods, and the enduring impact of violent crime on victims and their families. The details of Sigmon’s crime, the victim’s family’s perspectives, and the legal challenges surrounding the execution have all contributed to the intense public scrutiny.
The Heinous Crime and Admission of Guilt:
The events that led to Sigmon’s death sentence unfolded on April 27, 2001. Fueled by crack cocaine and consumed by the recent breakup with his girlfriend, Rebecca Armstrong, Sigmon arrived at the Larke’s home with a disturbing plan to kidnap his ex-girlfriend. Instead, he brutally murdered David and Gladys Larke, each struck nine times with a baseball bat. He then kidnapped Armstrong, who managed to escape his grasp by jumping from his moving car, sustaining a gunshot wound to her foot before Sigmon’s gun ran out of ammunition.
At his trial in 2002, Sigmon openly admitted his guilt, telling the jurors, "Ladies and gentlemen of the jury, I am guilty. I have no excuse for what I did. It’s my fault and I’m not trying to blame nobody else for it, and I’m sorry." He further confessed to being "obsessed" with Armstrong, stating that her rejection "set me off." He acknowledged the potential appropriateness of the death penalty, saying, "I hate what I did. Do I deserve to die? I probably do, I don’t want to die. It would kill my mom, my brothers and my sisters … I just want to live for my family’s sake."
Victim Impact and Lingering Grief:
While Sigmon admitted his guilt and expressed some remorse, the devastating impact on the Larke family remains profound. Their adult children testified at the trial, recounting their deep bond with their parents. Darrell Larke spoke of his father’s influence, saying, "I am who I am because of him (my dad) and my mom. He taught me how to fish, how to hunt, how to enjoy life, how to be responsible."
In her first interview in 24 years, Rebecca Armstrong told USA Today that Sigmon’s actions ripped her family apart and that "he should answer for what he’s done," though she doesn’t believe in the death penalty. She remembers her parents as "simple country folks" who were devoted to their five children and always willing to help others. Her mother loved to cook, and her father was quick to forgive. They were the glue of the family, she says, and their absence has been keenly felt, especially with the births of grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Armstrong’s son, Ricky Sims, plans to attend the execution, stating, "He’s going to pay for what he’s done. He took away two people who would have done anything for their family. They were the rock of our family… They didn’t deserve it."
The Choice of Firing Squad and Legal Challenges:
Sigmon chose the firing squad over lethal injection and the electric chair, citing concerns about the reliability of the execution drugs and the perceived barbarity of the state’s electric chair. His attorneys argued that the electric chair was an "ancient" device that would "burn and cook him alive." This choice reflects a growing skepticism about the availability and efficacy of lethal injection drugs, which has led several states to explore alternative execution methods.
The Firing Squad Procedure:
The South Carolina Department of Corrections has renovated the Broad River Correctional Institute to accommodate the firing squad. The inmate will be strapped into a metal chair in a room that also houses the state’s electric chair. Three voluntary corrections staff members will stand behind a wall with loaded rifles, 15 feet from the inmate. An opening in the wall will conceal the marksmen from the witness room. A hood will be placed over the inmate’s head, and a small target will be placed over his heart. After the warden reads the execution order, the team will fire. A doctor will then examine the inmate and, upon confirmation of death, the curtain will be drawn.
Witnesses, including family members of both the victim and the inmate, members of the media, attorneys, and prison staff, will observe the execution through bullet-resistant glass.
Arguments Against the Execution:
Sigmon’s attorney, Gerald "Bo" King, has vehemently opposed the execution, arguing that it is a "barbaric, state-sanctioned atrocity." He emphasizes that Sigmon was a troubled individual with undiagnosed mental illness and a history of violent trauma. King asserts that Sigmon became "tortured" by these issues, which he attempted to self-medicate with street drugs. He further argues that the jury that sentenced Sigmon was unaware of the severity of his mental health issues and that he may have been incompetent to stand trial.
King also highlights Sigmon’s supposed transformation in prison, describing him as a "repentant, God-loving man" who serves as an informal chaplain to his fellow prisoners and a source of strength to his family. He contends that Sigmon poses no threat to anyone and that his execution serves no purpose.
The Broader Context: Evolving Execution Methods:
South Carolina’s decision to proceed with a firing squad execution reflects a broader trend among states with the death penalty to explore alternative execution methods. As lethal injection drugs have become increasingly difficult to obtain, states have turned to controversial options such as nitrogen gas and firing squads.
Five states, including South Carolina, Mississippi, Utah, Oklahoma, and Idaho, have legalized firing squads. The last firing squad execution in the United States occurred in 2010, when Utah executed Ronnie Lee Gardner for murder.
The Future of Capital Punishment:
The execution of Brad Keith Sigmon in South Carolina will undoubtedly intensify the ongoing debate about the morality, legality, and practicality of capital punishment. The case raises critical questions about the role of mental illness in criminal justice, the ethics of different execution methods, and the enduring impact of violent crime on victims and their families. As states continue to grapple with the challenges of administering the death penalty, the debate over its future will likely continue for years to come.
The case is a stark reminder of the devastating consequences of violence and the complex moral and legal considerations that arise when the state seeks to impose the ultimate punishment. The world will be watching as South Carolina carries out its first firing squad execution in the modern era, a decision that is sure to spark further controversy and debate about the future of capital punishment in the United States.
