Evidence suggests South Carolina’s recent firing squad execution of cop killer Mikal Mahdi was botched, with bullets possibly missing his heart while he suffered in pain for up to a minute.
Key Takeaways
- Two South Carolina lawmakers, Republican Neal Collins and Democrat Justin Bamberg, are demanding an independent investigation into Mahdi’s April 11th execution
- Autopsy findings revealed only two entry wounds instead of three, suggesting one bullet may have missed its target
- Witnesses reported Mahdi remained conscious for 45-60 seconds after being shot, showing signs of life including crying out and groaning
- Prison officials maintain all protocols were followed, claiming all three bullets struck Mahdi’s heart despite contradicting autopsy evidence
- Lawmakers are calling for the suspension of firing squad executions until a thorough investigation ensures constitutional standards are being met
Execution Gone Wrong: Bipartisan Demand for Investigation
South Carolina’s execution of convicted cop killer Mikal Mahdi has sparked controversy after autopsy findings suggested the firing squad may have failed in their duty to deliver a swift, humane death. Republican Representative Neal Collins and Democratic Representative Justin Bamberg have formed an unlikely alliance in calling for an immediate and independent investigation into what appears to be a significantly flawed execution process. The April 11th execution was only the second time South Carolina has used a firing squad in modern history, but evidence indicates it was far from the immediate death required by constitutional standards for capital punishment.
“There were only two entry wounds, for the executed, the executed did not die immediately. For 45 seconds to a minute, [Mahdi] had made indications that he was still alive” Stated by, Neal Collins South Carolina State Representative.
Disturbing Evidence Emerges
The pathologist who reviewed Mahdi’s autopsy for his legal team made the alarming discovery that the shots appeared to have hit low, causing extensive damage to his liver and lungs rather than striking his heart as intended. This significant deviation from protocol likely resulted in Mahdi experiencing extreme, unnecessary pain before death. Witnesses to the execution reported hearing Mahdi cry out and groan after being shot, clear indications that he remained conscious and in pain as he died. These accounts directly contradict claims by the South Carolina Department of Corrections that the execution was carried out properly.
“Death is supposed to be immediate. And in this case, it was not. So, what arises is that in future executions, people to be executed can certainly bring up constitutional issues. And the state supreme court or the U.S. Supreme Court could rule that it, an execution by firing squad, is unconstitutional ” Stated by, Collins
Officials’ Denials Ring Hollow
Despite mounting evidence of a botched execution, prison officials maintain that all three bullets struck Mahdi’s heart with no exit wounds. This claim stands in stark contradiction to the autopsy findings that documented only two entry wounds. The Department of Corrections has provided no explanation for this discrepancy, and South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster appears determined to move past the incident without further scrutiny, stating he sees no need for an investigation. This resistance to transparency has only fueled lawmakers’ concerns about the integrity of the state’s execution protocols.
“I personally don’t find that credible. But regardless of whether I find that credible or not, we don’t have any protocol afterwards to prove who was right ” Stated by, Henry McMaster
Push for Transparency and Accountability
Both lawmakers emphasize that their call for an investigation isn’t motivated by sympathy for Mahdi, who was convicted of murdering an off-duty police officer in 2004, but rather by concern for the integrity of South Carolina’s justice system. They’re proposing several reforms to prevent future problems, including allowing at least one legislator to witness executions for increased oversight and developing comprehensive post-execution protocols to verify proper procedures. The current autopsy lacked basic documentation, with only one photo taken and no X-rays or clothing examination, making it difficult to establish exactly what happened.
The lawmakers have called for immediately removing the firing squad as an execution option until a thorough review can be completed and protocols refined. With the constitutional requirement that executions be carried out humanely and without unnecessary suffering now in question, South Carolina faces a potential legal reckoning that could impact all future capital punishment cases in the state. Whether officials will acknowledge these serious concerns or continue denying them remains to be seen, but the evidence suggests something went terribly wrong in Mahdi’s final moments.
