COLUMBIA, S.C. A man convicted of killing an off-duty police officer was executed by firing squad in South Carolina on Friday. This is the second time the state has utilized this method of execution in the past five weeks, drawing renewed attention to the controversial practice. The execution was carried out at the state penitentiary in Columbia.
The man was convicted of fatally shooting the officer during an altercation several years ago. His appeals for clemency were denied, leading to the execution. The firing squad consists of three volunteer marksmen from the South Carolina Department of Corrections.
South Carolina is one of a handful of states that allow for execution by firing squad. The method was reinstated due to a shortage of lethal injection drugs. Opponents of the practice argue that it is a cruel and unusual punishment, while supporters maintain that it is a lawful and constitutional form of capital punishment.
South Carolina Executes Man by Firing Squad for Police Officer's Death
South Carolina executed a man by firing squad on Friday for the murder of an off-duty police officer. This marks the second time the state has used this rare execution method in recent weeks. The execution took place in Columbia, South Carolina. Advocates continue to debate the use of firing squads as a method of capital punishment.
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