South Carolina Death Row Inmate Chooses Firing Squad Execution

Sat Nov 01 2025 01:34:55 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

Stephen Bryant, a convicted murderer on death row in South Carolina, opted for execution by firing squad, scheduled for November 14. This will mark his death as part of South Carolina's renewed use of this lethal method.

Stephen Bryant, 44, is set for execution by firing squad in South Carolina on November 14, following a series of gruesome crimes in 2004 that included multiple homicides. His choice highlights ongoing controversies surrounding the state's methods of capital punishment amidst scrutiny from previous executions that raised concerns over the firing squad's execution accuracy.

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — In a chilling decision, Stephen Bryant, a 44-year-old man on death row in South Carolina, has chosen to die by firing squad. Scheduled for execution on November 14, Bryant will be the third inmate this year to face death by this controversial method.

Bryant's conviction stems from the murder of Willard “TJ” Tietjen, whose gruesome killing involved being shot and having his eyes burned with cigarettes. Disturbingly, evidence was found of Bryant taunting authorities, having painted the words “catch me if u can” on a wall with Tietjen's blood.

Legal Controversy Ahead

Bryant's decision sparks anticipated legal battles, particularly in light of recent firing squad executions raising serious questions about their protocols. After the execution of Mikal Mahdi, whose death raised alarms due to shooting inaccuracies, Bryant’s case might deepen these concerns. Lawyers argued that Mahdi suffered unduly, with less precision than promised, taking significantly longer to die than expected.

Prison officials maintain that the firing squad method is executed as intended; they assert that the shooters need only successfully hit the heart to carry out the execution, without needing to destroy it. However, examination of Mahdi’s autopsy results suggests discrepancies that are fueling further scrutiny.

Firing Squad in Historical Context

Reintroduced during a prolonged halt of executions in South Carolina, firing squads have become an option as states struggle to procure lethal injection drugs. Since 1977, three prisoners have faced death by firing squad across the United States, with South Carolina now adding itself to this list.

Background of Violent Crimes

Brian's crimes terrorized Sumter County in late 2004, having killed two additional victims while offering them rides, highlighting a series of horrific acts. Known to have suffered from a troubled past and family trauma, his legal defense presents a life marked by adversity as a potential explanatory context for his actions.

Bryant's upcoming execution marks a significant chapter in the ongoing discussion about the efficacy and morality of capital punishment methods, with implications extending far beyond his personal narrative.