In a significant development for capital punishment in South Carolina, Stephen Bryant is set to be executed by firing squad. This marks the third execution by this method in the state this year. Bryant, aged 44, committed multiple murders over two decades ago and is scheduled to die on Friday at 6 p.m. The execution will take place at the Broad River Correctional Institution in Columbia.
Background on Stephen Bryant
Bryant was convicted for the gruesome murder of Willard “TJ” Tietjen, alongside the killings of two other men in October 2004. His first victim, Tietjen, suffered a brutal attack in which he was shot and subsequently desecrated. Bryant has a history of mental health issues tied to childhood trauma, including sexual abuse, which his defense cites as impacting his actions.
Execution Details
The execution will utilize a firing squad, a method Bryant opted for over lethal injection or the electric chair. Three prison employees will carry out the execution from a distance of 15 feet. Although Bryant currently has no pending appeals, he retains the right to request clemency from the governor.
Recent Trends in South Carolina Executions
- South Carolina reinitiated executions in September 2024 after a 13-year hiatus.
- Concerns over lethal injection drugs and past execution complications led to the state adopting firing squads.
- Since the resumption of executions, four men have been executed by lethal injection.
- The electric chair remains a legal option for capital punishment in South Carolina.
Previous Executions
This year, Mikal Mahdi became the second inmate executed by firing squad. His case has raised legal questions regarding execution protocols, including a lawsuit claiming he suffered due to improper shot placement. Mahdi was convicted for killing an off-duty police officer and was sentenced to death and life imprisonment for separate charges.
As the execution date approaches, Stephen Bryant’s case continues to prompt discussions regarding mental health considerations and the ethical implications of the death penalty in the United States.
