South Carolina's Second Firing Squad Execution of Mikal Mahdi Botched, Bullets Missed Heart, Causing Up to a Minute of Pain

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Updated May 9, 2025, 09:52 PM

An autopsy and legal review have revealed that the execution of Mikal Mahdi, a death row inmate in South Carolina, by firing squad was flawed, leading to prolonged suffering. According to a pathologist hired by Mahdi's attorneys, the bullets fired during the state's second firing squad execution largely missed Mahdi's heart, striking his chest instead. This misfire caused Mahdi to remain conscious and likely experience extreme pain for up to a minute before death. Mahdi's legal team has filed a complaint with the South Carolina Supreme Court, describing the execution as 'botched.' The firing squad method was reintroduced in South Carolina earlier this year, but this case has raised questions about its reliability and the skills of the marksmen involved. Mahdi was convicted of ambushing and shooting an off-duty police officer. His execution has sparked debate over the death penalty and the use of firing squads as an execution method in the state.

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#Mikal Mahdi #South Carolina #Mahdi #South Carolina Supreme Court

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Sources

stern.de(2)dailymail.co.uk(2)cbsnews.com(2)nbcnews.com

NBC News

@NBCNews

Mikal Mahdi’s legal team filed a complaint with the South Carolina Supreme Court, saying that his execution by firing squad was botched. https://t.co/CV7WqBnBVz

Democracy Now!

@democracynow

Autopsy Finds SC Firing Squad Botched Execution of Mikal Mahdi, Leading to Agonizing Death https://t.co/JXVkG3bkgW

FOX 29

@FOX29philly

A pathologist hired by attorneys for death row inmates says a South Carolina man executed by firing squad was conscious and likely in extreme pain for as long as a minute. https://t.co/Cesh6jxE43