International-News
South Carolina, second shooting in a month: condemned man killed by firing squad
Capital punishment is back in the news in the United States. Mikal Mahdi was killed by firing squad in South Carolina, a similar choice to that of the convicted man in March. A controversial method that is dividing public opinion
Another death row inmate was executed in South Carolina, where shooting was chosen as the method of execution. This is the second time in just over a month that the southern U.S. state has resorted to firing squads, a method that had not been used for 15 years. Mikal Mahdi, 42, had in fact preferred firing squad over lethal injection, as had been done by convicted killer Mikal Mahdi last March 7.
The execution, which took place overnight, was carried out by three members of the firing squad, who are volunteers. Protocol calls for the condemned man to be tied to a chair, with a hood over his head and a target on his chest at the heart. The three shooters, placed five meters away, fired multiple shots to ensure that death was immediate.
David Weiss, Mahdi’s defense attorney, commented on the event, calling the shooting a “horrific act,” recalling how similar execution methods belong to “darker chapters of history,” far removed from a civilized society. However, South Carolina, which reintroduced shooting as an option for capital punishment in 2021, is not the only state with this method: Utah, Idaho, Mississippi, and Oklahoma have taken it up as an alternative to lethal injection.
Mahdi’s is the 12th execution since the beginning of 2025 in the United States, where as many as 23 states maintain capital punishment. Some others, such as California, Oregon and Pennsylvania, however, have adopted moratoriums, temporarily suspending the application of the death penalty. The reintroduction of the shooting is sparking a heated debate about the future of capital punishment in the U.S., with many considering it too cruel and anachronistic a method.
THE LATEST NEWS
[recent_post_slider design=”design-07″ show_author=”false” slider_height=”390″ lazyload=”progressive” limit=”6″ category=”11728″]
(Photo: © AndKronos)
Anthony Clark, ‘Yes, Dear’ Star and Boston Comic, Dies at 62
The comedian became a familiar face on CBS television as Greg Warner, but long before his sitcom success he was...
Randall England, ‘General Hospital’ Villain Jack Slater, Dies at 75
The actor also appeared in Dallas, The Young and the Restless and Baywatch, earned recognition on the American stage and...
U.S. Donbas Border Plan Could Give Putin a Paper Victory
American negotiators have reportedly proposed redrawing the administrative boundaries of Donetsk and Luhansk so Moscow could claim the entire region...
11-Month-Old Boy Found Alive Buried in Dog Crate in South Carolina
Koah Sharpe was believed to have been underground for 24 hours after disappearing with his 25-year-old father. Nearly 100 rescuers...
Trump-Netanyahu Iran Tensions Expose Rift Over Renewed War
A reportedly explosive phone call between the two leaders has highlighted disagreements over whether to resume military action against Tehran....
Stacy Keach, the Actor Behind Mike Hammer, Dies at 85
The American actor, who also held Polish citizenship, built a career spanning Broadway, Hollywood and television, earning a Golden Globe...
House Rejects Pete Hegseth Impeachment Bid; Trump Celebrates
The 211-204 vote defeats a resolution introduced by Republican Thomas Massie, who accused the defense secretary of abusing his authority...
“Delusional, Divisive and Shameful”: Eisenkot Turns on Netanyahu
The Yashar leader says the caretaker prime minister is unfit to remain in office and has called off a meeting...
“Your Ratings Are a Loser”: Trump Mocks CNN’s Kaitlan Collins VIDEO
The president lashed out at the CNN correspondent after she asked whether he would keep Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth if...
Thomas Markle Ordered to Undergo Mental Competency Exam
The 82-year-old father of Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, faces federal charges involving alleged possession of child sexual abuse material. A...
Jensen Huang Scandal Tests Nvidia’s Dependence on Its Founder
An affair involving a Singapore-based executive under scrutiny over Nvidia chip exports has collided with U.S.-China technology policy. The crisis...
Pete Hegseth Calls Impeachment Motion a “Farce” as House Weighs Vote
The defense secretary accuses the media of hating Donald Trump more than they love the country and the armed forces....
Toukie Smith, Model Turned Actress, Dies at 74
A prominent face in 1970s fashion, Smith later became known to television audiences as Eva Rawley on the sitcom 227....