Idaho Becomes First State to Prioritize Firing Squad for Executions
Idaho has taken a controversial step in capital punishment, becoming the first state in the United States to designate the firing squad as its preferred method of execution. Governor Brad Little signed a bill into law on Wednesday, solidifying this change that will take effect next year. The decision arrives shortly after South Carolina executed Brad Sigmon via firing squad, marking the first use of this method in the U.S. in 15 years.
Sigmon, 67, was executed for the 2001 murders of his ex-girlfriend’s parents, who were brutally killed with a baseball bat. The execution involved three volunteer prison employees firing at Sigmon, who was pronounced dead approximately three minutes after the shots were fired.
The Idaho Statesman reports that Idaho currently has nine inmates on death row. However, the state has not carried out an execution in over a decade. The move to prioritize the firing squad comes after a failed attempt to execute Thomas Eugene Creech last year. Creech, one of the longest-serving death row inmates in the country, was scheduled for lethal injection. Medical personnel spent roughly an hour trying unsuccessfully to establish an IV line, leading to the postponement of the execution.
Legislative records show that the Republican-controlled Idaho legislature overwhelmingly supported the bill, with over two-thirds of its members voting in favor. While the firing squad is now the preferred method, lethal injection remains the state’s backup option.
The decision to prioritize the firing squad is rooted in concerns about the reliability and potential complications of lethal injection. Rep. Bruce Skaug, the bill’s sponsor, has argued that the botched execution attempt of Thomas Creech underscored the problems associated with lethal injection.
"The events surrounding the attempted execution of Thomas Creech highlighted the difficulties and uncertainties of relying solely on lethal injection," Skaug stated. "The firing squad offers a more certain and quicker method of execution, ensuring justice is served in a timely and humane manner."
Idaho previously legalized execution by firing squad as a backup method in 2023, joining Utah, Oklahoma, South Carolina, and Mississippi. Governor Little has indicated that his preference remained lethal injection, but the recent events have shifted the state’s approach.
Legal experts have weighed in on the implications of Idaho’s decision. Supporters of the measure have suggested that the firing squad is a "quicker, surer" method of execution.
The revived execution method could have significant implications for the state’s existing death row inmates and for future capital cases. Notably, the decision could impact the case of Bryan Kohberger, the suspect in the University of Idaho college murders. Prosecutors have indicated that they will seek the death penalty for Kohberger if he is convicted of the charges against him. Kohberger faces four charges of first-degree murder and one charge of felony burglary. He has entered not-guilty pleas to all charges.
Critics of the firing squad argue that it is a barbaric and inhumane method of execution. They point to the potential for pain and suffering, as well as the psychological trauma it inflicts on those involved in the execution process. Some have suggested that the firing squad harks back to a more brutal era of justice and that it is inconsistent with modern standards of human rights.
Supporters, however, maintain that it is a more reliable and efficient method than lethal injection, which has been plagued by problems in recent years. They argue that it offers a more immediate and certain death, minimizing the risk of prolonged suffering. They also argue that it is a constitutional method of execution and that it has been upheld by the Supreme Court.
The debate over capital punishment continues to be a contentious issue in the United States. While some states have abolished the death penalty altogether, others continue to use it as a form of punishment for the most heinous crimes. The methods of execution also remain a subject of debate, with ongoing legal challenges to lethal injection protocols and renewed interest in alternative methods such as the firing squad.
The decision by Idaho to prioritize the firing squad has thrust the state into the center of this national debate. It remains to be seen how the new law will be implemented and whether it will face legal challenges. The case of Bryan Kohberger, in particular, will be closely watched as it could be the first case in which the firing squad is used as the primary method of execution in Idaho.
Governor Little’s office has yet to release an official statement on the matter. The decision to sign the bill into law is likely to be met with both support and opposition from various groups and individuals. The controversy surrounding the death penalty is expected to continue, and Idaho’s decision to prioritize the firing squad will undoubtedly fuel further debate on this issue.
As the trial of Bryan Kohberger approaches, the state’s decision to prioritize the firing squad adds another layer of complexity to an already highly charged case. The eyes of the nation will be on Idaho as it navigates the legal and ethical challenges surrounding capital punishment and the methods used to carry it out.
