First inmate executed in US by firing squad for 15 years

Brad Sigmon, the first US inmate to be put to death by firing squad in 15 years, was executed yesterday for the double murder of his former girlfriend’s parents.

- MICHELLE DEL REY

The 67-year-old was escorted into South Carolina’s Broad River Correctional Institution execution chamber in Columbia shortly before 1800 local time [GMT 2300], the time of his scheduled execution. He was wearing a black jumpsuit and black croc-like shoes.

Three state Department of Corrections employees, who volunteered to execute him, stood behind a wall with a rectangular opening 15 feet away. Once Sigmon was strapped into a chair with his ankles shackled and mouth covered, executioners put a hood over his face.

A bullseye marked the location of his heart.

His last statement was read to witnesses, who included three members of the victims’ family. It stated: “I want my closing statement to be one of love and a calling to my fellow Christians to help us end the death penalty. An eye for an eye was used as justification to the jury for seeking the death penalty. At that time, I was too ignorant to know how wrong that was.”

Sigmon’s statement continued with Bible verses and added: “Nowhere does God in the New Testament give man authority to kill another man.”

The warden then read the execution warrant. Sigmon took several deep breaths and the riflemen fired rounds of .308 Winchester Tap Urban bullets at 1805. A doctor confirmed his death at 1808. Staff lowered the curtains.