South Carolina Supreme Court says death penalty by firing squad or electrocution is legal

The South Carolina Supreme Court ruled on Wednesday that the death penalty by firing squad or electrocution is not considered cruel and unusual punishment if the death row inmate requests it.

The state passed a law that allowed the methods in 2021, after there was a shortage in South Carolina of lethal injection drugs, along with lethal injection. It is now one of five states that allow execution by firing squad, and one of eight to allow electrocution, The Hill reported.

The 2021 law was temporarily halted after death row inmates sued the state over the change, but death by electrocution became the default form of execution when the state could not find a reliable source for the lethal injection drugs. 

"[The 2021 law was a] sincere effort to make the death penalty less inhumane while enabling the state to carry out its laws," Justice John Few wrote in the majority decision. “The inescapable reality that an execution by any method may not go as planned — that it will be ‘botched’ — does not render the method ‘cruel’ under the constitution."

Executions are expected to begin again soon, now that the state Supreme Court ruling has come in. There are currently 32 inmates on death row, and no execution has been carried out in the state since 2011. 

“The Supreme Court has rightfully upheld the rule of law,” Republican Gov. Henry McMaster said in a statement. “This decision is another step in ensuring that lawful sentences can be duly enforced and the families and loved ones of the victims receive the closure and justice they have long awaited.”

Misty Severi is an evening news reporter for Just The News. You can follow her on X for more coverage.