South Carolina Schedules Fifth Execution in Less Than Seven Months Amid Controversy

South Carolina has confirmed the execution date for an inmate convicted of murdering an off-duty police officer, marking a grim milestone as he becomes the fifth individual executed in the state since it resumed executions last fall after a 13-year hiatus.

Mikal Mahdi, 41, is set to face execution on April 11 at 6 p.m. in a prison located in Columbia, as announced by the state Supreme Court.

Mahdi has the choice between lethal injection, the electric chair, or a firing squad for his execution. He must finalize this choice by March 28, or he will automatically receive the electric chair.

On March 7, Brad Sigmon was executed by firing squad, becoming the first person in the United States to be executed in this manner in 15 years. Since 1976, only three other inmates across the country have faced execution by firing squad, all in Utah.

Since the resumption of executions in South Carolina, three additional prisoners have been executed. Freddie Owens met his fate on September 20, Richard Moore on November 1, and Marion Bowman Jr. on January 31, with all dying by lethal injection. Sigmon’s execution reflects a growing concern over the potential for prolonged suffering associated with lethal injection, a concern he cited when opting for the firing squad.

Legal Proceedings and Mental Competence

While the state prepares for Mahdi’s execution, the court has postponed a potential sixth execution for Steven Bixby. Bixby, convicted in the killings of two police officers during a land dispute in Abbeville County in December 2003, was initially scheduled for execution in May. The court decided that a judge must first determine his mental competency.

A psychologist has stated that Bixby understands the reasons behind his death sentence but also expresses beliefs that blood found on his clothing during the time of the killings contains the DNA of Jesus Christ.

A Troubled Past

Mahdi’s attorney, David Weiss, has highlighted his client’s troubling history, which began in childhood. Weiss stated that Mahdi exhibited signs of mental distress as early as second grade, including discussions of self-harm. By his teenage years, Mahdi had already accumulated a criminal record, facing time in solitary confinement for crimes such as breaking and entering and assaulting a police officer in Virginia.

On July 14, 2004, Mahdi stole a firearm and a vehicle in Virginia. The next day, he fatally shot a store clerk in North Carolina who was verifying his identification. Shortly after, he carjacked a vehicle at an intersection in Columbia, South Carolina, as he evaded authorities.

On July 18, while in hiding, Mahdi ambushed public safety officer James Myers in Myers’ shed. According to prosecutors, Mahdi shot Myers eight to nine times, including two shots to the head after the officer fell to the ground. A forensic pathologist confirmed that at least seven of the gunshot wounds would have been fatal.

After committing these acts, Mahdi set Myers’ body on fire. His wife later discovered her husband’s remains inside the shed, which had served as a backdrop for their wedding.

Authorities apprehended Mahdi in Florida on July 21, 2004. Upon learning the nature of Mahdi’s charges, one officer expressed gratitude that Mahdi hadn’t opened fire during the arrest. Mahdi admitted that his decision to refrain from firing stemmed from doubts about his ability to shoot two officers and their K-9 unit and escape unscathed.

Prison Behavior and Sentencing

During his incarceration, Mahdi displayed notoriously violent behavior. He attempted escape several times, possessing items such as an Allen wrench and homemade handcuff keys. Remarkably, one key was discovered under his tongue during his trial.

While serving time on death row, Mahdi assaulted a prison guard and targeted another staff member with a concrete block. Prison officials found sharpened metal objects in his cell, which could serve as weapons.

During the trial, Mahdi’s attorneys described his chaotic family life. Born to a mother involved in an arranged marriage at the age of 16, Mahdi’s upbringing lacked stability and support, though no witnesses testified to specific instances of abuse or diagnosed mental illness.

Ultimately, Mahdi pleaded guilty to murder charges and received his sentence from Judge Clifton Newman, who publicly acknowledged his ambivalence towards the death penalty. Despite his personal beliefs, Newman stated that the case demanded a response beyond his individual views.

Newman emphasized that his judicial philosophy revolves around balancing justice with compassion while still recognizing the humanity in defendants. His remarks highlighted the solemn reality that Mahdi’s actions have created a situation where he lacked the care he needed.

The State’s Path Forward

Once a leader in executions, South Carolina resumed carrying out death penalties in September after a lengthy 13-year pause. This suspension was partly due to challenges obtaining the necessary lethal injection drugs. Pharmaceutical companies expressed concerns about being forced to reveal their involvement in state executions.

In response, state legislators passed a law protecting the identities of drug suppliers, which enabled the state to continue with lethal injections. Additionally, the legislature approved the use of firing squads as an alternative execution method due to ongoing difficulties sourcing lethal injection drugs.

Since 1976, South Carolina has executed 47 inmates post-resumption of the death penalty in the U.S. In the early 2000s, the state averaged three executions annually. Nationally, only nine states have carried out more executions than South Carolina.

This report includes contributions from the Associated Press.